Washington governor partners with Starbucks for Covid vaccine rollout

Washington has collaborated with Starbucks for ‘operational efficiency, scalable modelling and human-centred design expertise and support’

Washington has collaborated with Starbucks for ‘operational efficiency, scalable modelling and human-centred design expertise and support.’ (AFP via Getty Images)

Washington has chosen an unusual ally in its attempts to boost the speed of vaccination delivery in the state.

Governor Jay Inslee on Monday announced that officials would be joining hands with Starbucks as part of a statewide public-private partnership with the aim of administering 45,000 doses of coronavirus vaccine a day.  

“This is a massive effort, and as noble as any cause will be in 2021: Because this is the year we choose to get vaccinated, Washington,” Mr Inslee said during a press conference Monday. 

“We are removing as many impediments as possible to Washingtonians getting vaccinated, we are going to deliver every dose that comes into our state. We will still be dependent on the federal government for doses, but we are doing everything we can once it gets here.”

The state has turned to the Seattle based coffeehouse company for “operational efficiency, scalable modelling and human-centred design expertise and support," while the organisation has announced deputation of 11 of its employees to work on the vaccine distribution. 

"This is an opportunity to serve others and have an impact on a significant humanitarian effort," Kevin Johnson, Starbucks president and CEO, said in a statement. "Governor Inslee has convened some of the best public and private resources and capabilities to engage in a concerted effort to optimize and accelerate the vaccination process across our home state. We are proud to contribute in every way we can to help operationalize and scale equitable access to the vaccine."

The company clarified that its outlets would not be used as coronavirus vaccination centres. 

Though other states have partnered with private firms such as Walmart, Kroger, CVS  and Walgreens for distribution of the vaccine, the partnership with Starbucks is unusual because it's one of the only public-private collaborations with a firm that has no direct link to the pharmaceutical or healthcare sectors. 

Washington has also collaborated with Microsoft for “technology expertise and support," and with Costco for “vaccine delivery by pharmacies,” among others.

Governor Inslee, in his blog, said that though the partnership to meet the daily vaccination goal of 45,000 doses is above the current federal allocation, he argued that “putting the infrastructure in place to be able to meet this goal will ensure that the state is ready to effectively distribute vaccines once dosages sent to states is increased.”