On Friday, federal health officials unveiled a plan to get coronavirus vaccines to nursing home residents. Once a vaccine is approved and available, the distribution effort will involve two national pharmacy chains.

The distribution program is contingent on the Food and Drug Administration authorizing a vaccine, which doesn’t appear to be imminent.

Still, under the voluntary program, trained staff from CVS and Walgreens would deliver the vaccines to nursing homes and administer the shots.

Assisted-living facilities and residential group homes can also participate.

Leading Age, the national association of nonprofit providers, called the news “heartening” in a statement. There are several nursing homes in Arizona that are Leading Age members.