All vets could be eligible for COVID vaccines at VA soon, but supply problems remain the biggest challenge
Looks like most of us here will be eligible for the vaccine soon, if they’ve got it. I know my old man, who qualifies based on age and at least three other health factors and gets all his medical care from, hasn’t yet gotten the call to get his vaccine. I wouldn’t go holding my breath that the second largest US Government bureaucracy (which supports the largest US Govt bureaucracy, the US military) will get their shit together before you look elsewhere.
Jeff LPH 3 sends in this Military Times report;
Congress and Veterans Affairs leaders want to get as many veterans vaccinated against COVID-19 as possible in coming months.
How quickly they can do that is still a big question, however.
On Tuesday, House lawmakers approved new legislation that would allow VA health officials to offer vaccines to any veteran — including those living abroad — and most caregivers when supplies become available.
Under current rules, only veterans who are eligible for VA health care and certain caregivers enrolled in the official VA assistance program can get the shots. Veterans living abroad who are enrolled in the Foreign Medical Program are also ineligible for coronavirus-related testing or treatments.
“We don’t have time to waste,” House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Mark Takano, D-Calif., said in a statement after the bill’s passage. “We must get more shots in arms, our VA VACCINE Act makes sure that VA can.”
The measure passed without any objection and strong support from several prominent Republicans, including committee ranking member Mike Bost, R-Ill. It now heads to the Senate, where earlier this week the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee offered a similar measure with a goal of increasing the number of vaccinated vets.
“We need to vaccinate as many Americans as possible to get through this pandemic and get our economy back on track,” said committee Chairman Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont. “That starts by making sure that every veteran has access to a vaccine, regardless of whether they’re enrolled in VA health care or not.”
Tester’s bill, introduced along with several Republicans, would allow VA to provide no-cost vaccines to “all veterans, veteran spouses, caregivers, and Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) recipients to the extent that such vaccines are available.”
More at the source. Time will tell. Without the supplies, this is a fairly hollow gesture.
Category: COVID-19, Guest Link, Politics, Veterans' Affairs Department
They offer me the flu shot every year and I always turn it down. I’m not in any hurry to get the Chinese bat cough vaccine.
^Word^ Mikey! If there’s a shortage, they can give mine to someone that wants it. And this no cost thing? According to my pill pushing pharmacist, there is no charge for the shots to anyone. He has me and The Lady Friend on the list for when (if) he gets some in.
If someone knows different about the cost, I’d like to hear about it.
Just because the country is picking up the tab doesn’t mean it is free.
If you think healthcare costs too much now, just wait until it’s “free”…
I’ve been paying for all of this “free sh^t” since my FIRST paycheck in 1965.
I’ve tried explaining that to a couple friends when they tell me my Tricare is “free”. They just don’t want to comprehend the fact that we paid for it many times over with the life we led and the low pay that went with it.
Word.
Oddly, our county has had of the anti-Wuhan-viruse vaccines.
Counties all around us have been getting them – and folks from our county have gone 100+ miles to get them. But virtually none to the public here.
In fairness, the nursing home residents got them in December & January. But very few others.
So its windows-95 or fetuses’?
No thanks
Tester’s home state is laying an egg.
You know, regardless of being the curator of the HoI, I’m really a nice guy. Seriously.
That being said, any of you or anyone *else* outside of TAH is more than welcome to have my shot.
not only that but. ” IF YOU CALL IN THE NEXT 30 SECONDS, I’LL THROW IN MY *KIDS* VACCINES. **!!CALL NOW!!** DON’T JUST SIT THERE ON THE COUCH!! GET UP OFF YOUR ASS AND CALL NOW!!! YOU’VE GOT 25 SECONDS!!! GO ! GO ! GO ! GET UP AND CALL!!!
THEY’RE FREE. YOU GET TWO MORE VACCINES FOR NOTHING!!!!!
******CALL NOW!!!!!!!****
God forbid All-Points Logistics gets the contract.
They would be shooting up folks with soda water while the False Commander “Phony” Phil Monkress would be pocketing some coin based upon his fake and felonious Native American, Navy SEAL and LEO claims.
Curious as to if Phildo used his “Native American” heritage (if he could prove it and if they would even ask) to jump in line to get his shot?
I live northeast of Vegas and got my first shot last Saturday. Only got it cause i plan on flying internationally and we all know that the powers that be will demand proof of vaccination.
Anyway, the process was smooth as silk. On Thursday i enrolled at the VA in North Las Vegas cause i just got my hearing disability claim approved. On Friday i heard there was going to be a vaccine clinic the next day. Called and immediately got an appointment.
Next morning i showed up and got my shot within fifteen minutes. VERY well organized.
So far I’m impressed with the VA. We will see if that lasts.
Knowing the VA, we’ll catch AIDS from dirty needles getting the vaccine.
Yuppers im getting mine on the 21st, then the second shot 17 gays later, and im only 62…pretty good deal i guess.
“…then the second shot 17 gays later…”
Who are we to judge? 😛
17 gays? That’s a whole lot of penetration for a vaccine.
You might need some penicillin instead of da-covid shot.
Just watch they don’t pull out early and spray it all over your face.
Anybody want mine? It’s available.
Lars can have mine.
Local VA clinic started giving the shots mid February, I’m getting my second this Saturday. My neighbor couldn’t get an appointment until June.
I’m in group 3 due to job. Just got mine. I think I’ve waited my fifteen minutes and can get to work.
I have been told, if you think they ‘rushed’ the vaccine – they have been working on mRNA vaccines for coronaviruses since SARS, which is another type of coronavirus.
I’ve already gotten both doses of Pfizer via Madigan Army Medical Center and helped many other eligible folks get onto their web page to make their own appointments.
I went to the VA ONCE after I got my disability approved and it was the last time. They sent me a letter to come in for a free flu shot and then billed me $30 for it.
I got my first shot on the 7th and will get next on the 30th.
From what I gather the VA in many areas have been sending out texts and letters to EVERYONE in the system to make an appt.
I got a day and time ( on a Sunday) and was in and out in under an hour.
Other than asking if you were having symptoms they did zero screening. Just looking around there were about 50 other people getting theirs… most looked to be about in the late 30s to 55 or so.
From the attitude on here and a good portion of people a lot of people are passing the chance up.
Pretty sure within 3-5 months they will have everyone that wants the shot vaccinated.