TULSA, Okla. — The Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System (EOVAHCS) started giving the COVID-19 vaccination with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 22.
The VA worked with the CDC and other federal partners to develop a phased plan.
- First vaccines are offered to VA health care personnel
- Next are high-risk veterans.
Officials said vaccinating high-risk VA health care personnel helps them continue providing care for veterans. The VA health care team is contacting veterans eligible for the vaccine. They ask no one to go to a VA facility to request or receive a vaccine until contacted. Staff can’t provide vaccines to anyone who isn’t eligible at this time.
After the first 2 groups veterans who are at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 will be offered the vaccine.
“VA is eager to offer the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to health care personnel and our Veterans,” said Mark E. Morgan, director, EOVAHCS. “Receiving the vaccine is like having hope delivered. As vaccine supplies increase, our ultimate goal is to offer COVID-19 vaccination to all Veterans and employees who want to be vaccinated.”
EOVAHCS is one of 113 VA Medical Centers across the country to receive the first limited supply of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Sites were identified based on need for the vaccine according to CDC’s 1A prioritization and capacity to store the vaccine at -20◦C.
Even after receiving COVID-19 vaccination, EOVAHCS urges employees and veterans to continue wearing face coverings, practicing physical distancing and washing hands often.
As vaccines become available for more groups of Veterans, VA care teams will reach out to eligible Veterans to schedule vaccinations. There is no need to preregister or come to a facility to sign up.
Veterans can get up-to-date information on VA’s VA COVID-19 vaccine webpage, which launched on December 11, 2020, and sign up to receive regular updates on the vaccine on the VA’s Stay Informed page.
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