VISN 01 - VA Bedford Healthcare System - News & Announcements Dec. 17, 2020: Most Veterans in Mass. VA nursing home choose COVID vaccination

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Release No. 11-007
Dec. 17, 2020
Contact:  Kat Bailey
Cell:  781-885-5253
melissa.bailey@va.gov

 

Most Veterans in Mass. VA nursing home choose COVID vaccination

BEDFORD, Mass. — Most of the eligible inpatient Veterans in the Community Living Centers of Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital of VA Bedford Healthcare System have opted to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. 

Korean-era Army Veteran John Zuccaro and Vietnam-era Air Force Veteran Roland French, both residents in the CLCs, chose to get vaccinated Wednesday. 

“I volunteered for the military and served four years,” the 96-year old Zucarro said. “I volunteered to get the COVID-19 vaccine today to prove to the elderly that it’s worthwhile to get.” 

Working with the CDC and other federal partners, VA developed a phased plan to first offer vaccines to VA health care personnel and Veterans residing in CLCs or in Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorder Centers. 

“We know that people have a higher risk of getting and spreading COVID-19 if they live in places like nursing homes or other group care settings,” said VA Bedford’s associate director of patient care and nursing Mary Anderson. 

ENRM Veterans Hospital, named after Massachusetts Congresswoman Edith Nourse Rogers, is the largest nursing home in the VA healthcare system. According to Anderson, vaccinating essential health care staff helps reduce the potential spread of the virus to Veterans who may be at high risk for severe illness if infected, such as VA Bedford’s CLC residents. 

“The beginning of the pandemic was like nothing I’ve ever seen,” Anderson said. “We’ve been doing our best to provide peace and comfort to our Veterans during this stressful time.” 

French, 79, said he volunteered because he wanted to set an example for others. “I think it’s ok,” French said. “I feel it can work and make people feel more secure. Let’s get back to our normal lives with no reservations.” 

VA Bedford has vaccinated more than 250 employees and resident Veterans for COVID-19 since Monday.

After healthcare personnel and high-risk inpatients, VA will begin to offer vaccines to more Veterans who are at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19. VA Care teams will contact Veterans who are eligible to get the vaccine during this phase. VA’s ultimate goal is to offer a COVID-19 vaccine to all Veterans enrolled in VA health care who want to be vaccinated. 

Take advantage of VA's Keep Me Informed tool to sign up to help us understand your interest in getting a vaccine when one is available to you. We’ll send you updates on how we’re providing vaccines across the country—and when you can get your vaccine if you want one:  https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/

Veterans Roland French, left, and John Zuccaro, right, received their COVID-19 vaccination Dec. 16, 2020, at Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in the VA Bedford Healthcare System. (VA photo by Kat Bailey)

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