The Durham VA Health Care System selected as one of 37 VA sites to receive initial doses of COVID-19 vaccine

Veterans Health Administration sent this bulletin at 12/13/2020 03:09 PM EST

Veterans,

 

On December 11, 2020, the Durham VA Health Care System (DVAHCS) announced that we have been selected as one of 37 VA sites to receive initial doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. We are honored to serve our Veterans and the communities of Central and Eastern North Carolina. Primarily, we were selected based on our ability to vaccinate large numbers of people plus our ability to store the vaccines at extremely cold temperatures. In accordance with Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, DVAHCS will begin vaccinating health care personnel and Veterans in VA’s long-term health care facilities once the Food and Drug Administration issues an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the vaccine.

 

The COVID-19 vaccine implementation will include an initial limited-supply phase followed by a general implementation phase, when large supplies of the vaccine will be available to Veterans who want to receive one. Our ultimate goal is to offer it to all Veterans and Staff who want to be vaccinated. As more vaccine becomes available, we will begin scheduling appointments with eligible Veterans.

 

As a Veteran and Executive Director of the DVAHCS, I want to say that we are very excited to provide a vaccine that has the potential to help get COVID-19 under control. Additionally, when the vaccine becomes available for public release, we highly recommend that everyone get vaccinated and to continue following CDC guidance and recommendations, plus public health measures such as masking, physical distancing, and frequent hand-washing.

 

As a reminder, please continue to wear a mask when outside your home, remain at least 6 feet apart from anyone who does not live with you, and wash your hands often. As always, we thank you for your service to the Nation. We value your health and safety and we look forward to serving you!

 

Veterans seeking additional information should visit the VA Coronavirus FAQs webpage or contact their primary care team. Veterans Service Organizations (VSO's) should reach out to the DVAHCS Public Affairs Officer or our Congressional Liaison. Continue to monitor our Facebook page and our website for additional updates.

 

Thank you,

 

Paul Crews 

Paul S. Crews, MPH, FACHE

Director, Durham VA Health Care System