Many convenience stores and drugstores will be open on Christmas Day 2025, with most grocery stores closed or operating with reduced hours. Notable exceptions include 7-Eleven, Circle K, and Wawa, which are mostly open 24 hours, while pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens will have limited hours or be closed in some locations. It's advised to check specific store websites for exact hours and availability.
Many drugstores are prepared to deliver updated COVID-19 vaccines this fall, with insurers planning to cover the costs despite the vaccines no longer being specifically recommended by a key government advisory committee. Coverage is expected through various programs including Medicaid, CHIP, and private insurance, with most major insurers continuing to cover the vaccine at no cost through 2026. Vaccinations are widely available at pharmacies and doctors' offices, and the CDC recommends yearly shots for everyone 6 months and older, especially for high-risk groups.
Major drugstore chains like Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid are closing hundreds of stores due to financial struggles, theft, underperformance, and lease issues, with Rite Aid planning to close all of its approximately 1,240 stores amid bankruptcy proceedings.
Narcan, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, will soon be available over-the-counter in drugstores, including Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, and Rite Aid. The move aims to increase accessibility to the life-saving drug, which has been shown to reduce opioid deaths. Narcan, also known as naloxone, is the first opioid overdose reversal medication to be sold without a prescription. While this step is a positive one, concerns remain about the price and accessibility of Narcan, as well as insurance coverage.
