VISN 01 - VA Bedford Healthcare System - News & Announcements Dec. 14, 2020: VA Bedford begins COVID-19 vaccinations

BEDFORD, Mass. -- Registered nurse Sandra Getchell gives the COVID-19 vaccine to World War II Veteran Margaret Klessens, aged 96, a resident of VA Bedford Healthcare System’s community living center here today, Dec. 14, 2020. Margaret is the first VA patient nationwide to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. (VA photo by Kat Bailey)

Release No.:  11-006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 14, 2020

VA Bedford begins COVID-19 vaccinations

BEDFORD, Mass. — VA Bedford Healthcare System began administering COVID-19 vaccinations to frontline health care employees and Veterans residing in its long-term care Community Living Centers today.

VA Bedford HCS is part of the initial group of 37 VA medical centers across the country that began receiving and administering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine this week.

The sites were chosen for their ability to vaccinate large numbers of people and store the vaccines at extremely cold temperatures.

“VA Bedford is proud to be a part of the initial 37 VA medical centers receiving the vaccine,” said Dr. Shilpa Rungta, Chief of Staff. “The incredible teamwork here at VA Bedford allowed us to go from arrival to vaccination in just a few hours while still following all safety protocols.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration stated that in clinical trials, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was 95% effective in preventing COVID-19 disease. The vaccine is administered as a series of two doses, 21 days apart. The side effects appear similar to those of other vaccines and are short-lived.  

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.

As increased vaccine supply becomes available, VA plans to distribute these vaccines at additional facilities to offer the vaccine to more Veterans and employees.

 

“We are dedicated to ensuring all Veterans receiving care at VA and our employees are ultimately offered the vaccine with safety as the number one priority,” Rungta said.

 

VA will report data directly to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on all vaccine doses administered by VA. The department will also provide general, public updates on the number of people who receive the vaccination at these sites, similar to how VA posts COVID-19 testing figures.

Veterans can sign up to get updated information through VA’s COVID-19 Vaccine Keep Me Informed tool, visit the VA Coronavirus Vaccine FAQs webpage, or contact their care team.

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