Walgreens starts vaccine sign-ups, but not in South Florida yet.

Walgreens on Wednesday became the latest pharmacy chain to offer the COVID-19 vaccine in Florida, opening appointments in six counties largely situated in the western and central parts of the state.

Walgreens plans to first offer vaccines in Pasco, Charlotte, Polk, Manatee, Marion and Citrus counties. Speaking in Pasco County, the home of Zephyrhills, Gov. Ron Desantis said sign-up will begin Thursday and the first shots start Friday. The signup will be at www. Walgreens.com/ScheduleVaccine or by phone at 1-800-WALGREENS.

A Walgreens spokesman confirmed appointments also would be available in the other five counties. No Walgreens locations were announced yet in South Florida, and the governor didn’t say if or when Walgreens would expand statewide.

Walgreens is the latest pharmacy to offer the vaccine in Florida through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, joining CVS, Publix, Walmart and Southeastern Grocers, the parent company for WinnDixie. The retail pharmacy program is separate from the state’s allocation of vaccines, which is designated for Department of Health locations, hospitals, Publix and other select sites.

Walgreens’ start toward administering the vaccine in Florida comes as about 175,000 doses of the newly approved Johnson & Johnson vaccine is earmarked for Florida. “We think we’re going to get it at the end of the week, we’re not sure,” DeSantis said. “I think this is going to be a really good week.”

On Wednesday, the federal government opened four FEMA-run vaccination sites, including one in Miami.

DeSantis also said Wednesday he could soon add day care workers to the list of those 50 and older that could be vaccinated. “I’m supportive of that,” he said. His order now includes grades K-12 classroom teachers, law enforcement officers and firefighters age 50 and older.