Sponsored
Veterans Experience Live (VetXL): COVID-19 Vaccine Q&A. Join on March 3rd to ask your questions
94.6K
298
142
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
I'm a front line worker, driving for Lyft and working at Whole Foods in Colorado but haven't received notifications on when I can get the vaccine. Is this because I'm 56? My parents got it but they're not exposed to the public on a daily basis like I am.
Also, how soon will the one shot vaccine like Johnson & Johnson be available for me to take here in Denver, CO?
Also, how soon will the one shot vaccine like Johnson & Johnson be available for me to take here in Denver, CO?
I am a retired veteran and am trying to find somewhere that I can get a COVID vaccination. I live in Austin Texas. Can you direct me to somewhere that I can get the shot?
Dr. Jane Kim
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.
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.
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/covid-19-vaccine/
https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/stay-informed
https://www.va.gov/health-care/secure-messaging/
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.
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/covid-19-vaccine/
https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/stay-informed
https://www.va.gov/health-care/secure-messaging/
COVID-19 vaccines at VA | Veterans Affairs
We're working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other federal partners to provide COVID-19 vaccines to Veterans and VA health care personnel. We know you have a lot of questions, and information is changing quickly. Please check back often for updates.
Dr. Jane Kim
Provided your wife is a primary or secondary designated family caregiver and you are a Veteran participating in VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, she can be vaccinated and tested for COVID-19 at VA health care facilities. VA is notifying caregivers directly by letter of their ability to receive a vaccine through VA.
Caregivers who are interested in receiving the vaccine will be scheduled when their Veteran becomes eligible to receive the vaccine in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. Each VA facility will determine when vaccinations can begin based on site-specific resources, needs and vaccine availability.
In addition to VA, designated caregivers may also be eligible for vaccine in the state where they live. They should use the location that is most convenient for them, or that will vaccinate them on the earliest date possible. Caregivers should contact their local Caregiver Support Program Team for additional information.
If your wife is not a designated caregiver per above, information about available local vaccinations can be found on the CDC vaccine locator tool, from your state or local health department, your health care provider or local pharmacy chains.
https://vaccinefinder.org/
https://www.cdc.gov/publichealthgateway/healthdirectories/healthdepartments.html
Caregivers who are interested in receiving the vaccine will be scheduled when their Veteran becomes eligible to receive the vaccine in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. Each VA facility will determine when vaccinations can begin based on site-specific resources, needs and vaccine availability.
In addition to VA, designated caregivers may also be eligible for vaccine in the state where they live. They should use the location that is most convenient for them, or that will vaccinate them on the earliest date possible. Caregivers should contact their local Caregiver Support Program Team for additional information.
If your wife is not a designated caregiver per above, information about available local vaccinations can be found on the CDC vaccine locator tool, from your state or local health department, your health care provider or local pharmacy chains.
https://vaccinefinder.org/
https://www.cdc.gov/publichealthgateway/healthdirectories/healthdepartments.html
Vaccine Finder is a free, online service where users can search for locations that offer vaccinations.
With all the push through media to say the vaccine is safe, why is it not FDA approved, and why lie to the Americanpeople again? I see that once the pandemic state of emergency is over we cannot use said vaccine until approved by the FDA.
PO1 Sherry Michel
That's it, SSG Howington! Keep asking questions and don't be bullied into taking something that is not approved, nor properly trialed.
Dr. Jane Kim
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. The FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have pledged to follow rigorous review processes to ensure vaccine safety and effectiveness. They carefully balance any known or potential risks of making vaccines available during an emergency with any known or potential benefits to the public.
Once more data is available, manufacturers will be able to apply for FDA approval under the standard review processes. In the meantime, many lives are being saved and severe illness is being prevented due to the availability of vaccines under EUAs to the American public.
Once more data is available, manufacturers will be able to apply for FDA approval under the standard review processes. In the meantime, many lives are being saved and severe illness is being prevented due to the availability of vaccines under EUAs to the American public.
I appreciate having a forum that enables us to ask questions, thank you. My question (really three) is When will it be known if/when COVID-19 vaccine booster shots will be required? How often? What is the VA's plan for this possible eventuality?
Dr. Jane Kim
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the need for and timing of booster doses for the currently authorized COVID-19 vaccines has not been established. No additional doses beyond the two-dose primary series (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines) or the one-dose (Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine) are recommended at this time.
I have had my thyroid removed is this safe to take for me and if so may I request the phi zen shots. Thank you
Dr. Jane Kim
Please refer to your health care provider to address your personal medical needs. You may find a VA location using VA’s location finder and schedule an appointment at a local facility or you can submit a secure inquiry to your specific VA provider on the VA secure messaging site.
https://www.va.gov/find-locations
https://www.va.gov/health-care/secure-messaging/
https://www.va.gov/find-locations
https://www.va.gov/health-care/secure-messaging/
Sara Oliver
People with underlying medical conditions can receive the FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines as long as they have not had an immediate or severe allergic reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine or to any of the ingredients in the vaccine. Learn more about vaccination considerations for people with underlying medical conditions. Vaccination is an important consideration for adults of any age with certain underlying medical conditions because they are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
I had my first Covid shot and it gave me a bad headache. I read online that I should not take aspirin or Ibuprofen immediately after receiving the shot, so I just suffered through the headache for two days. I go back this week for my second shot this week. Can I take any pain medication if I have the same symptoms after receiving the shot.
PO1 Sherry Michel
Nancy Diehl - I just don't get it. Why are people lining up for this injection? If you allow something to be injected into your body that causes bad reactions and even forces you to take medication to relieve it, sounds like garbage to me...we are so programmed.
Diane Rood
PO1 Sherry MichelBecause the virus is much worse...haven't you read the side effects from that and life long effects too. I know 4 people who had the virus back in December and none can ever work again because of BRAIN FOG... lung issues and whatever is down the road for them. I would rather have a headache for a couple days from the shot. Just saying !
Dr. Jane Kim
Please talk to your doctor about taking over-the-counter medicine, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, antihistamines or acetaminophen, for any pain and discomfort you may experience after getting vaccinated. You can take these medications to relieve post-vaccination side effects, if you have no other medical reasons that prevent you from taking these medications normally. It is not recommended that you take these medicines before vaccination for the purpose of trying to prevent side effects, because it is not known if these medications may impact how well the vaccine works. Learn from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about what to expect after getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/expect/after.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/expect/after.html
What to Expect after Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine
COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you from getting COVID-19. Learn about the potential side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Veterans in rural Kalispell, Montana, received COVID-19 vaccines following an airplane delivery from Fort Harrison near Helena into Glacier Park International Airport Feb. 3.
https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/84499/veterans-rural-montana-receive-covid-19-vaccine-via-airplane-delivery/
https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/84499/veterans-rural-montana-receive-covid-19-vaccine-via-airplane-delivery/
Veterans in rural Montana receive COVID-19 vaccine via airplane delivery - VAntage Point
Veterans in rural Kalispell, Montana, received COVID-19 vaccines following an airplane delivery from Fort Harrison near Helena into Glacier Park International Airport Feb. 3.
Hershel "Woody" Williams survived Iwo Jima, destroying six enemy pillboxes. When offered the COVID-19 vaccine, the Medal of Honor recipient didn't hesitate.
https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/84163/medal-of-honor-recipient-get-your-covid-19-vaccine/
Medal of Honor recipient: get your COVID-19 vaccine - VAntage Point
https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/84163/medal-of-honor-recipient-get-your-covid-19-vaccine/
Medal of Honor recipient: get your COVID-19 vaccine - VAntage Point
Medal of Honor recipient: get your COVID-19 vaccine - VAntage Point
Hershel "Woody" Williamssurvived Iwo Jima, destroying six enemy pillboxes. When offered the COVID-19 vaccine, the Medal of Honor recipient didn't hesitate.
https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/85086/veteran-eddie-rosenblum-100-receives-vaccine/
Veteran Eddie Rosenblum, 100, receives vaccine - VAntage Point
WWII Veteran “Eddie” Rosenblum, 100, received his vaccine at the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System. His family fled Europe to America.
Veteran Eddie Rosenblum, 100, receives vaccine - VAntage Point
WWII Veteran “Eddie” Rosenblum, 100, received his vaccine at the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System. His family fled Europe to America.
Veteran Eddie Rosenblum, 100, receives vaccine - VAntage Point
WWII Veteran “Eddie” Rosenblum, 100, received his vaccine at the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System. His family fled Europe to America.
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google
• 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 working diligently 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.
As far as your second question the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) very recently provided Emergency Use Authorization for the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine. VA will begin distributing the vaccine at some locations this week.
For more information, please visit 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 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.
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm695152e2.htm?s_cid=mm695152e2_w#T1_down
https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/
https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/stay-informed
https://www.va.gov/health-care/secure-messaging/
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ Interim...
This report describes updated interim vaccine allocation...