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Veterans Experience Live (VetXL): COVID-19 Vaccine Q&A. Join on March 3rd to ask your questions
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Please adhere to RallyPoint Answers and Discussion Conduct: https://rly.pt/33ySsg0
Due to the anticipated interest in the topic, and the possibility for receiving large amounts of questions, please be patient as the subject matter experts (SMEs) from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Health & Human Services (HHS) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) work to respond to your questions. Unanswered questions will be disseminated to the SMEs and will be responded to shortly thereafter.
VA also has a COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions page here: http://rly.pt/VAcovidFAQ
Stay informed about getting the COVID-19 Vaccine here: COVID-19 vaccines: http://rly.pt/VAstayinformed
Ask questions to the following experts:
» Dr. Andrea Lerner, MD - Medical Officer, Office of the Director, NIAID, NIH
» Dr. Dr. Jane Kim, MD - Chief Consultant, Preventive Medicine, VA
» Dr. Sara Oliver, MD, MSPH, LCDR - U.S. Public Health Service, Vaccine Task Force, CDC
Access to critical Veteran COVID-19 Vaccine information:
» COVID-19 Vaccines for Veterans: https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/
» Department of Veterans Affairs: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/n-coronavirus/
» CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/ index.html
» HHS National Institute of Health Research: https://covid19.nih.gov
NIAID conducts and supports research at NIH, throughout the United States, and worldwide to study the causes of infectious and immune-mediated diseases, and to develop better means of preventing, diagnosing and treating these illnesses. NIAID scientists and grantees are working to rapidly develop COVID-19 diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines. These projects include conducting basic research and developing animal models to understand how the virus infects cells and causes disease, and what interventions can prevent and stop the spread of disease, as well as clinical trials evaluating therapies and vaccine candidates.
About the National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (NCP) https://www.prevention.va.gov provides leadership for Department of Veterans Affairs’ national COVID-19 vaccine planning and rollout across the country. NCP leads a multi-disciplinary team that coordinates the VA’s COVID-19 vaccine communication, allocation and distribution efforts.
NCP is a field-based national program of VA’s Office of Patient Care Services that
strives to improve the quality of life for Veterans. NCP provides health care resources
for Veterans (https://www.prevention.va.gov/For_Veterans_and_the_Public.asp) and the public relating to disease prevention and healthy living, including links to other VA and government resources. NCP provides VA clinicians with evidence-based clinician training (https://www.prevention.va.gov/For_Clinicians/), guidance, tools and resources including clinician fact sheets, patient handouts and VA- and government-wide resources to support the delivery of high-quality health promotion and disease prevention services.
NCP also produces publications including VHA Prevention Policies and Guides (https://www.prevention.va.gov/Publications/VHA_Prevention_Policies_and_Guidelines.asp), as well as its annual NCP Highlights (https://www.prevention.va.gov/Publications/) that summarizes NCP activities and accomplishments.
CDC is focused on getting Americans vaccinated and ending the COVID-19 pandemic. A strong, nationally coordinated approach is critical to ensuring ALL individuals who wish to receive vaccine can receive it. Veterans Affairs (VA) is one of five federal agencies receiving a direct allocation of vaccine from the federal government to vaccinate their frontline workforce and persons in their care. CDC has been assisting VA with planning for this direct allocation of vaccine to VA for staff and veterans by providing technical assistance to VA planners on vaccine prioritization, storage and handling, IT systems, administration and communications. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/
Team Up Against COVID-19! Register now to submit additional questions to be answered on March 4th by Dr. Fauci here: https://rly.pt/3snlqZn
Due to the anticipated interest in the topic, and the possibility for receiving large amounts of questions, please be patient as the subject matter experts (SMEs) from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Health & Human Services (HHS) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) work to respond to your questions. Unanswered questions will be disseminated to the SMEs and will be responded to shortly thereafter.
VA also has a COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions page here: http://rly.pt/VAcovidFAQ
Stay informed about getting the COVID-19 Vaccine here: COVID-19 vaccines: http://rly.pt/VAstayinformed
Ask questions to the following experts:
» Dr. Andrea Lerner, MD - Medical Officer, Office of the Director, NIAID, NIH
» Dr. Dr. Jane Kim, MD - Chief Consultant, Preventive Medicine, VA
» Dr. Sara Oliver, MD, MSPH, LCDR - U.S. Public Health Service, Vaccine Task Force, CDC
Access to critical Veteran COVID-19 Vaccine information:
» COVID-19 Vaccines for Veterans: https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/
» Department of Veterans Affairs: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/n-coronavirus/
» CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/ index.html
» HHS National Institute of Health Research: https://covid19.nih.gov
NIAID conducts and supports research at NIH, throughout the United States, and worldwide to study the causes of infectious and immune-mediated diseases, and to develop better means of preventing, diagnosing and treating these illnesses. NIAID scientists and grantees are working to rapidly develop COVID-19 diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines. These projects include conducting basic research and developing animal models to understand how the virus infects cells and causes disease, and what interventions can prevent and stop the spread of disease, as well as clinical trials evaluating therapies and vaccine candidates.
About the National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (NCP) https://www.prevention.va.gov provides leadership for Department of Veterans Affairs’ national COVID-19 vaccine planning and rollout across the country. NCP leads a multi-disciplinary team that coordinates the VA’s COVID-19 vaccine communication, allocation and distribution efforts.
NCP is a field-based national program of VA’s Office of Patient Care Services that
strives to improve the quality of life for Veterans. NCP provides health care resources
for Veterans (https://www.prevention.va.gov/For_Veterans_and_the_Public.asp) and the public relating to disease prevention and healthy living, including links to other VA and government resources. NCP provides VA clinicians with evidence-based clinician training (https://www.prevention.va.gov/For_Clinicians/), guidance, tools and resources including clinician fact sheets, patient handouts and VA- and government-wide resources to support the delivery of high-quality health promotion and disease prevention services.
NCP also produces publications including VHA Prevention Policies and Guides (https://www.prevention.va.gov/Publications/VHA_Prevention_Policies_and_Guidelines.asp), as well as its annual NCP Highlights (https://www.prevention.va.gov/Publications/) that summarizes NCP activities and accomplishments.
CDC is focused on getting Americans vaccinated and ending the COVID-19 pandemic. A strong, nationally coordinated approach is critical to ensuring ALL individuals who wish to receive vaccine can receive it. Veterans Affairs (VA) is one of five federal agencies receiving a direct allocation of vaccine from the federal government to vaccinate their frontline workforce and persons in their care. CDC has been assisting VA with planning for this direct allocation of vaccine to VA for staff and veterans by providing technical assistance to VA planners on vaccine prioritization, storage and handling, IT systems, administration and communications. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/
Team Up Against COVID-19! Register now to submit additional questions to be answered on March 4th by Dr. Fauci here: https://rly.pt/3snlqZn
Coronavirus COVID19
Health
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Responses: 53
What is being done to help veterans with at risk health issues under 65 years old so that may get the vaccine sooner? I live in Central Florida where there are many veterans with health risk issues but they are being turned away by the VA. In my neighborhood alone there are three veterans in this category. One has had triple by-pass surgery one year ago for coronary problems, another is diabetic with kidney issues, and myself with high blood pressure, kidney issues and coronary problems. All of us are between 59 to 64 YOA, yet the VA is telling us "no vaccine for you". I use the analogy that "it's a ticking time bomb", when we get COVID it's not going to end well because of our current condition.
Suspended Profile
Will there be an active vaccine injury plan and compensation for those who do have severe side effects and or death?
Is there a plan for F/U and clinical data on ALL of those who receive the non FDA approved vaccine?
Is there a plan for F/U and clinical data on ALL of those who receive the non FDA approved vaccine?
Dr. Jane Kim
COVID-19 vaccines are covered countermeasures under the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP), which will provide compensation to certain individuals or estates of individuals who sustain a covered serious physical injury as the direct result of the administration or use of a COVID-19 vaccine. See the CICP website for more information at https://www.hrsa.gov/cicp/
https://www.hrsa.gov/cicp/
COVID-19 vaccines are being authorized under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), which provides for an expedited review of vaccines and medications during emergencies, such as a pandemic. An EUA includes the same steps taken in full-term clinical trials, only with a consolidated timeline.
Multiple federal agencies are working together to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines meet FDA’s standards and are safe and effective for the American public.
After FDA approves a vaccine or authorizes a vaccine for emergency use, it continues to monitor the vaccine to determine how well it works under real-world conditions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other federal partners are continuing to assess COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness under real-world conditions.
VA is also incorporating COVID-19 vaccine reporting into its state-of-the-art vaccine monitoring and tracking system, the VA Adverse Drug Event Reporting System (VA ADERS) for tracking Veteran vaccine data.
VA ADERS coordinates with the CDC and FDA vaccine monitoring systems.
Visit the CDC for more information on vaccine safety monitoring.
Visit the CDC website to learn how experts evaluate the effectiveness of the vaccine in real-world conditions.
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7008e3.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/effectiveness.html
https://www.hrsa.gov/cicp/
COVID-19 vaccines are being authorized under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), which provides for an expedited review of vaccines and medications during emergencies, such as a pandemic. An EUA includes the same steps taken in full-term clinical trials, only with a consolidated timeline.
Multiple federal agencies are working together to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines meet FDA’s standards and are safe and effective for the American public.
After FDA approves a vaccine or authorizes a vaccine for emergency use, it continues to monitor the vaccine to determine how well it works under real-world conditions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other federal partners are continuing to assess COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness under real-world conditions.
VA is also incorporating COVID-19 vaccine reporting into its state-of-the-art vaccine monitoring and tracking system, the VA Adverse Drug Event Reporting System (VA ADERS) for tracking Veteran vaccine data.
VA ADERS coordinates with the CDC and FDA vaccine monitoring systems.
Visit the CDC for more information on vaccine safety monitoring.
Visit the CDC website to learn how experts evaluate the effectiveness of the vaccine in real-world conditions.
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7008e3.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/effectiveness.html
Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP)
The Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP) was created so that in the unlikely event you experience a serious injury from a covered countermeasure, you may be considered for benefits.
Dr. Jane Kim
The ingredients in the PfizerBioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines include mRNA, lipids, salts, sugars, and buffers. Buffers help maintain the stability of the pH solution. Vaccine ingredients can vary by manufacturer. To learn more about the ingredients in authorized COVID-19 vaccines, see:
• Information about the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/Pfizer-BioNTech.html
• Information about the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/Moderna.html
To learn more about the most recently authorized COVID-19 vaccine by Johnson and Johnson, see:
• https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/janssen-covid-19-vaccine
• Information about the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/Pfizer-BioNTech.html
• Information about the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/Moderna.html
To learn more about the most recently authorized COVID-19 vaccine by Johnson and Johnson, see:
• https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/janssen-covid-19-vaccine
Information about the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
Information about the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine including name, manufacturer, type of vaccine, number of shots, how it is given, and links to ingredient information.
Thanks for taking my question! I’m curious about what group I will fall under because I’m 53 years old and I have Diabetes and High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol and I consider myself to be in a group of people that if I catch the Coronavirus that I will be one of the people that have a very difficult time with the virus as far as how sick I will become due to my underlying health problems!
So my question is what group of people do I fall under for it to be my turn to receive the virus and also since I’m 75 miles from the nearest VA Hospital will they make me an appointment or will they send a batch of the vaccine to my local outpatient clinic for me to the vaccine at?
So my question is what group of people do I fall under for it to be my turn to receive the virus and also since I’m 75 miles from the nearest VA Hospital will they make me an appointment or will they send a batch of the vaccine to my local outpatient clinic for me to the vaccine at?
Dr. Jane Kim
Thank you for your patience during this time of limited vaccine availability nationally as well as at VA. While we are still in the limited supply phase, all facilities are continuing to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for vaccine distribution. Presently, VA facilities are vaccinating people in Phase 1a and 1b, moving to 1c when they have made good progress through the other phases. It seems that you fall in Phase 1c which includes people ages 65-74, people age 16-64 with underlying medical conditions that increase risk for severe illness form COVID-19 and essential workers not in 1b, as defined by the CDC.
VA believes it can most efficiently vaccinate the greatest numbers of our high-risk populations by allowing flexible decision-making at the local level, so the time of your vaccination will also depend on local conditions.
Once vaccine is available for your risk group at your local facility, you will be contacted to schedule an appointment for your vaccination. If you have additional questions about how your personal risk for COVID-19 will determine when you can get a vaccine, send a secure message to your VA health care provider. For more information, you may also COVID-19 vaccines at VA website where you can also sign up for VA’s Keep Me Informed tool for updates about VA’s COVID-19 vaccine plans.
https://www.va.gov/health-care/secure-messaging/
https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/
https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/stay-informed
VA believes it can most efficiently vaccinate the greatest numbers of our high-risk populations by allowing flexible decision-making at the local level, so the time of your vaccination will also depend on local conditions.
Once vaccine is available for your risk group at your local facility, you will be contacted to schedule an appointment for your vaccination. If you have additional questions about how your personal risk for COVID-19 will determine when you can get a vaccine, send a secure message to your VA health care provider. For more information, you may also COVID-19 vaccines at VA website where you can also sign up for VA’s Keep Me Informed tool for updates about VA’s COVID-19 vaccine plans.
https://www.va.gov/health-care/secure-messaging/
https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/
https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/stay-informed
VA secure messaging | Veterans Affairs
With VA secure messaging, you can communicate privately online with your VA health care team. Find out if you’re eligible to use secure messaging, and how to sign in to begin using this tool.
Dr. Jane Kim
Thank you for your patience during the phase of limited vaccine availability at VA and nationally. VA is using full effort to vaccinate as many Veterans and employees as quickly as possible. VA believes it can most efficiently vaccinate the greatest numbers of our high-risk populations by allowing flexible decision-making at the local level. By encouraging local flexibility, VA can ensure that no vaccine is wasted as we work to vaccinate all eligible Veterans and employees who want to be vaccinated as quickly as possible.
If you have questions about how your personal risk for COVID-19 will determine when you can get a vaccine, send a secure message to your VA health care provider. For more information, you may also COVID-19 vaccines at VA website where you can also sign up for VA’s Keep Me Informed tool for updates about VA’s COVID-19 vaccine plans.
https://www.va.gov/health-care/secure-messaging/
https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/
https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/stay-informed
If you have questions about how your personal risk for COVID-19 will determine when you can get a vaccine, send a secure message to your VA health care provider. For more information, you may also COVID-19 vaccines at VA website where you can also sign up for VA’s Keep Me Informed tool for updates about VA’s COVID-19 vaccine plans.
https://www.va.gov/health-care/secure-messaging/
https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/
https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/stay-informed
VA secure messaging | Veterans Affairs
With VA secure messaging, you can communicate privately online with your VA health care team. Find out if you’re eligible to use secure messaging, and how to sign in to begin using this tool.
When will the C19 vaccine be available to a larger number of veterans in the VA Health Care System who live in rural areas? I have underlying health conditions, and can't even get the vaccine in Oregon from either the VA or the state.
Dr. Jane Kim
First of all, thank you for your patience as VA works to distribute COVID-19 as efficiently as possible during this period of limited supply.
VA is sending vaccines to rural areas to provide vaccinations for Veterans in remote locations. The two vaccines that are currently authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. Both vaccines have specific storage and handling requirements from the time they are manufactured until they are administered to maintain the cold chain. These requirements protect the potency and effectiveness of the vaccines and ensure that vaccine recipients are fully and safely protected. VA has arranged air transport to some facilities located in “highly rural” areas and continues to work on logistics to ship more vaccine as additional supplies become available.
The Janssen/Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine received Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on February 27 and VA will begin offering it some locations this week. The J&J vaccine does not require ultra-cold storage and requires one dose, and not two as the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines do. VA anticipates being able to more readily distribute the Johnson & Johnson vaccination to areas serving our more remote Veterans. One dose will also make it easier for you and other Veterans in rural locations, who often have to travel long distances, to get their full vaccination coverage.
If you have questions about how your personal risk for COVID-19 will determine when you can get a vaccine, send a secure message to your VA health care provider. For more information, you may also COVID-19 vaccines at VA website where you can also sign up for VA’s Keep Me Informed tool for updates about VA’s COVID-19 vaccine plans.
https://www.va.gov/health-care/secure-messaging/
https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/
https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/stay-informed
VA is sending vaccines to rural areas to provide vaccinations for Veterans in remote locations. The two vaccines that are currently authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. Both vaccines have specific storage and handling requirements from the time they are manufactured until they are administered to maintain the cold chain. These requirements protect the potency and effectiveness of the vaccines and ensure that vaccine recipients are fully and safely protected. VA has arranged air transport to some facilities located in “highly rural” areas and continues to work on logistics to ship more vaccine as additional supplies become available.
The Janssen/Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine received Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on February 27 and VA will begin offering it some locations this week. The J&J vaccine does not require ultra-cold storage and requires one dose, and not two as the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines do. VA anticipates being able to more readily distribute the Johnson & Johnson vaccination to areas serving our more remote Veterans. One dose will also make it easier for you and other Veterans in rural locations, who often have to travel long distances, to get their full vaccination coverage.
If you have questions about how your personal risk for COVID-19 will determine when you can get a vaccine, send a secure message to your VA health care provider. For more information, you may also COVID-19 vaccines at VA website where you can also sign up for VA’s Keep Me Informed tool for updates about VA’s COVID-19 vaccine plans.
https://www.va.gov/health-care/secure-messaging/
https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/
https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/stay-informed
VA secure messaging | Veterans Affairs
With VA secure messaging, you can communicate privately online with your VA health care team. Find out if you’re eligible to use secure messaging, and how to sign in to begin using this tool.
when does the VA run out of 65 and older test subjects. Seems there's an awful big crowd getting the beat down virus. I'm just saying, I've got an elderly mother and she's not Uncle Sam property and is still waiting for the shot. What gives ??
PO1 Sherry Michel
I would allow your elderly mother to just stay healthy. Do the right things - allow the body to function naturally. These lab-made chemicals are more destructive than helpful. Research.
Dr. Jane Kim
Assuming that your mother is a Veteran, we want to reassure you that VA is using every avenue to vaccinate as many Veterans and employees as quickly as possible. VA believes it can most efficiently vaccinate the greatest numbers of our high-risk populations by allowing flexible decision-making at the local level. By encouraging local flexibility, VA can ensure that no vaccine is wasted as we work to vaccinate all eligible Veterans and employees who want to be vaccinated as quickly as possible.
If you have questions about how your personal risk for COVID-19 will determine when you can get a vaccine, send a secure message to your VA health care provider. For more information, you may also COVID-19 vaccines at VA website where you can also sign up for VA’s Keep Me Informed tool for updates about VA’s COVID-19 vaccine plans.
If your mother is not a Veteran, please check with her health provider, your local health department or pharmacy as to local availability.
https://www.va.gov/health-care/secure-messaging/
https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/
https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/stay-informed
If you have questions about how your personal risk for COVID-19 will determine when you can get a vaccine, send a secure message to your VA health care provider. For more information, you may also COVID-19 vaccines at VA website where you can also sign up for VA’s Keep Me Informed tool for updates about VA’s COVID-19 vaccine plans.
If your mother is not a Veteran, please check with her health provider, your local health department or pharmacy as to local availability.
https://www.va.gov/health-care/secure-messaging/
https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/
https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/stay-informed
VA secure messaging | Veterans Affairs
With VA secure messaging, you can communicate privately online with your VA health care team. Find out if you’re eligible to use secure messaging, and how to sign in to begin using this tool.
Considering what I've been immunized against during my time in service... '76 thru '07 AD Army & USAR.... is there really any need for this anti-viral immunization?
Dr. Jane Kim
COVID-19 can cause severe medical complications and lead to death in some people. There is no way to know how COVID-19 will affect you. If you get COVID-19, you could spread the disease to family, friends, and others around you.
Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can help protect you and others around you from COVID-19, particularly people at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
Please contact your health care provider if you have specific medical concerns.
Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can help protect you and others around you from COVID-19, particularly people at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
Please contact your health care provider if you have specific medical concerns.
So who can explain to me why the VA isn’t following the CDC guidelines for who is to receive the vaccine. I fall under the 1A group as a nurse, who is in the field swabbing anywhere from 3-10 Covid positive patients a day, as well as the 1B group as I am a disabled veteran with co-mobilities at the age of 50. I have been informed because I do not work for the VA and I am not 70 years or older I am not qualified to receive the vaccine and as soon as my age come up then they will notify me that I can get the vaccine. Why is this the case? Someone please explain this to me!!
Dr. Jane Kim
Thank you for your patience as the nation including VA has limited supply of the COVID-19 vaccines. If you have questions about how your personal risk for COVID-19 will determine when you can get a vaccine, send a secure message to your VA health care provider.
While we are still in the limited supply phase, all facilities are continuing to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for vaccine distribution. Presently, VA facilities are vaccinating people in Phase 1a and 1b, moving to 1c when they have made good progress through the other phases:
• Phase 1a includes health care personnel and residents of long-term care facilities.
• Phase 1b includes people ages 75 years and older, frontline essential workers as defined by CDC and Veterans who are homeless, those who have a solid organ transplant, being treated with hemodialysis, receiving chemotherapy in a hospital or clinic setting and those with spinal cord injury and disorders.
• Phase 1c includes people ages 65-74, people age 16-64 with underlying medical conditions that increase risk for severe illness form COVID-19 and essential workers not in 1b, as defined by the CDC.
VA is using every avenue to vaccinate as many Veterans and employees as quickly as possible. VA believes it can most efficiently vaccinate the greatest numbers of our high-risk populations by allowing flexible decision-making at the local level. By encouraging local flexibility, VA can ensure that no vaccine is wasted as we work to vaccinate all eligible Veterans and employees who want to be vaccinated as quickly as possible.
For more information, you can also visit the COVID-19 vaccines at VA website where you can also sign up for VA’s Keep Me Informed tool for updates about VA’s COVID-19 vaccine plans.
https://www.va.gov/health-care/secure-messaging/
https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/
https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/stay-informed
While we are still in the limited supply phase, all facilities are continuing to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for vaccine distribution. Presently, VA facilities are vaccinating people in Phase 1a and 1b, moving to 1c when they have made good progress through the other phases:
• Phase 1a includes health care personnel and residents of long-term care facilities.
• Phase 1b includes people ages 75 years and older, frontline essential workers as defined by CDC and Veterans who are homeless, those who have a solid organ transplant, being treated with hemodialysis, receiving chemotherapy in a hospital or clinic setting and those with spinal cord injury and disorders.
• Phase 1c includes people ages 65-74, people age 16-64 with underlying medical conditions that increase risk for severe illness form COVID-19 and essential workers not in 1b, as defined by the CDC.
VA is using every avenue to vaccinate as many Veterans and employees as quickly as possible. VA believes it can most efficiently vaccinate the greatest numbers of our high-risk populations by allowing flexible decision-making at the local level. By encouraging local flexibility, VA can ensure that no vaccine is wasted as we work to vaccinate all eligible Veterans and employees who want to be vaccinated as quickly as possible.
For more information, you can also visit the COVID-19 vaccines at VA website where you can also sign up for VA’s Keep Me Informed tool for updates about VA’s COVID-19 vaccine plans.
https://www.va.gov/health-care/secure-messaging/
https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/
https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/stay-informed
VA secure messaging | Veterans Affairs
With VA secure messaging, you can communicate privately online with your VA health care team. Find out if you’re eligible to use secure messaging, and how to sign in to begin using this tool.
I suffer from cluster migraines. I get botox shots. I take Sumatriptan shots and imitrex pills. When I get the shot and get headaches what can I go since they are very severe
PO1 Sherry Michel
Oh Lord, just take care of yourself. Headaches/migraines are a neurological issue (I have them and also take Sumatriptan when needed). The 'injection' will affect our neurological system, if not right away, not far down the road. Research first and go to Nancy's post above.
Dr. Jane Kim
Please address your specific medical concerns with your health care provider. If you have questions about how your personal risk for COVID-19 will determine when you can get a vaccine, send a secure message to your VA health care provider.
https://www.va.gov/health-care/secure-messaging/
https://www.va.gov/health-care/secure-messaging/
VA secure messaging | Veterans Affairs
With VA secure messaging, you can communicate privately online with your VA health care team. Find out if you’re eligible to use secure messaging, and how to sign in to begin using this tool.
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• Phase 1c includes people ages 65-74, people age 16-64 with underlying medical conditions that increase risk for severe illness form COVID-19 and essential workers not in 1b, as defined by the CDC.
VA is using every avenue to vaccinate as many Veterans and employees as quickly as possible. VA believes it can most efficiently vaccinate the greatest numbers of our high-risk populations by allowing flexible decision-making at the local level. By encouraging local flexibility, VA can ensure that no vaccine is wasted as we work to vaccinate all eligible Veterans and employees who want to be vaccinated as quickly as possible.
Once vaccine is available for your risk group at your local facility, you will be contacted to schedule an appointment for your vaccination. If you have additional questions about how your personal risk for COVID-19 will determine when you can get a vaccine, send a secure message to your VA health care provider. For more information, you may also COVID-19 vaccines at VA website where you can also sign up for VA’s Keep Me Informed tool for updates about VA’s COVID-19 vaccine plans.
https://www.va.gov/health-care/secure-messaging/
https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/
https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/stay-informed
VA secure messaging | Veterans Affairs
With VA secure messaging, you can communicate privately online with your VA health care team. Find out if you’re eligible to use secure messaging, and how to sign in to begin using this tool.