LEXINGTON, Ky. – A potential partnership between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and retailer Dollar General could boost delivering COVID-19 vaccinations to rural residents. According to the company’s website, around 75% of all Americans live within 5 miles of a Dollar General store, and 75% of its stores serve rural areas and communities with fewer than 20,000 people.

Dollar General, one of the nation’s largest retailers, operates more than 17,000 stores in 46 states and 6,870 cities -- almost twice the number of the next largest private retailer working on vaccine rollout -- and has a significant presence in Kentucky with nearly 600 stores and a distribution center in Bowling Green.

Dollar General’s massive presence could provide more access to vaccines, and according to statista.com, there are 4,756 Walmart stores across the country, while Walgreens and CVS have 9,277 and 9,967 stores, respectively.

“In rural areas, residents often don't have access to big-box stores," CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said during the recent Health Action Alliance virtual National Business Summit, according to an article by Nathan Bomey in USA Today. “We're exploring a promising collaboration with Dollar General stores, which have locations that include refrigeration capacity within 10 or 15 miles of our rural communities in all but four states.”

According to Heather Chapman of The Rural Blog, beyond the lack of access to vaccinations, rural America may see a lower percentage of compliance because of vaccine hesitancy.

Dollar General confirmed the discussions in a statement on its website, but it was unclear if vaccinations would be given at Dollar General stores. USA Today noted that Dollar General stores do not have pharmacies, where vaccinations are given at chains such as Kroger or Publix.

“Dollar General continues to have constructive conversations with the CDC on ways the company can support the nation’s COVID-19 testing and vaccine efforts, particularly in the communities we serve,” according to the company’s statement.

Dollar General stores are plentiful in rural Kentucky. In Pike County, there are seven Dollar General stores, and there are nine in Graves County in rural Western Kentucky. In the 29 miles between London, in rural Laurel County in southcentral Kentucky, and Williamsburg, in rural Whitley County on the Tennessee border, there are 20 Dollar General stores within a few miles on either side of the stretch of Interstate 75 connecting the two cities.   

The talks between the CDC and Dollar General arose from the concern that many rural Americans will not get vaccinated, which could prolong the pandemic.

“Individuals living in rural areas in the U.S. are significantly less likely to say they will get a COVID-19 vaccine that is deemed safe and available for free than individuals living in suburban and urban America,” according to Kaiser Family Foundation research published this past January.

The number of Dollar General stores nationwide has more than doubled since 2007. Idaho, Montana, Alaska, and Hawaii are the only states without a Dollar General store.