Kroger Co. chain starts with health care workers in hard-hit Southern California With coronavirus infections and deaths soaring in Southern California, The Kroger Co.’s Ralphs supermarket chain has begun administering COVID-19 vaccines to health care personnel. Los Angeles-based Ralphs said Friday it has obtained a supply of the Moderna vaccine and is providing immunizations to its pharmacy staff and other health care professionals at its 50 pharmacies in California’s Los Angeles and Riverside Counties. Plans call for Ralphs Pharmacy locations in San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties and the City of Long Beach to get allocations of the COVID-19 vaccine this week.