VA and the COVID-19 vaccine! : Veterans

Typing this as I sit in the post-shot observation room of my regional VA hospital. Showed up early and walked right in, was signed in, poked, and had my card signed within 5 minutes!

Per the VA VACCINE Act, VA facilities must prioritize

the vaccination of (1) veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system, (2) veterans who fail to enroll but receive hospital care and medical services for specified disabilities in their first 12 months of separation from service, and (3) caregivers accompanying such prioritized veterans. Additionally, vaccines furnished abroad are authorized to be furnished in a geographic location other than a state regardless of whether vaccines are needed for the treatment of veterans with a service-connected disability (including those participating in a VA rehabilitation program).

Covered individuals include

• veterans who are not eligible to enroll in the VA health care system

• specified veterans who are eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care abroad;

• family caregivers who are approved as providers of personal care services for veterans under the VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers;

• caregivers of veterans participating in the VA’s Program of General Caregiver Support Services;

• caregivers of veterans participating in the VA’s Medical Foster Home Program, Bowel and Bladder Program, Home Based Primary Care Program, or Veteran Directed Care Program.

I called my VA the day the bill was passed (03/09) and got on the waiting list. They called me late last night (3/16) to schedule my vaccination appointment, I was able to get in today. also it was really nice to sit in that waiting room and chat with people and just be around some other humans for a little bit.Didn’t realize how much I had missed that.

TLDR: call your VA, tell the switchboard operator you want to schedule an appointment!