Houston VA
Medical Center Update

News & Announcements

Mike Wilson, an Army Veteran from Katy, was the first Veteran to receive the COVID Vaccine at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. Mr. Wilson is a Veteran of the Gulf War.

Houston VA is proud to announce that as of today we have vaccinated nearly 3,000 Veterans and staff with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. We look forward to vaccinating more Veterans in 2021. Are you a Veteran who wants to indicate your interest in getting the COVID-19 vaccine or learn more about it? Sign up for our “Keep Me Informed” tool to express your interest in getting the vaccine and to learn more. 

About the vaccine

Manufactured by Pfizer, the vaccine we are currently distributing at the Houston VA has proven to be 95% effective in clinical trials with limited side effects. This marks a crucial first step in getting COVID-19 under control.

We know you have a lot of questions, and information is changing quickly. Sign up for our “Keep Me Informed" tool for more information. VA will continue to update this page as we have new information to offer, so check back often for updates.

Who got the vaccine first?

Initial supplies of the COVID vaccine were limited nationwide. Per CDC guidance, VA began by vaccinating health care personnel – as they are essential in continuing to care for patients throughout the pandemic – and Veteran inpatients in our Houston VA Community Living Centers and Spinal Cord Injury and Disorder Centers. 

Who is getting the vaccine now?

Houston VA has now begun vaccinating high-risk Veterans, beginning with our dialysis and transplant patients and Veterans over 85 years of age. We are offering the COVID-19 vaccine to Veterans who are at the greatest risk for infection and severe illness based on the CDC’s guidelines and will continue to work our way through the established priority groups.

How will I be contacted about getting the vaccine?

Houston VA is calling Veterans in high risk categories to schedule them for COVID vaccine appointments. Currently, we are offering COVID vaccinations only by appointment and only at our main medical center. To reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19, Veterans should not come into our VA facility looking to receive a vaccine without an appointment. Care teams will contact you when a vaccine is available, based on your personal risk factors and vaccine availability. When you are called to schedule your vaccine appointment, you will be provided details about where to go on campus to get your shot.

I have a specific medical condition and don’t know if it’s a good idea for me to be vaccinated. Who should I ask?

If you have a question about your personal medical history, please communicate with your primary care provider. You can also learn quite a bit about the specifics of the COVID-19 vaccine at our Keep Me Informed tool. 

When will I be contacted about getting the vaccine?

The VA’s goal is to offer the vaccine to all Veterans who choose to be vaccinated. With more than 130,000 Veterans registered for care at our Houston VA and community clinics, it will take us some time to obtain enough vaccine and work our way through the high risk priority groups. Please sign up for the VA’s Keep Me Informed tool to indicate your interest in getting the vaccine and learn more about where we are in the vaccination process. Houston VA is eager to distribute the vaccine to all interested Veterans. Please be patient as the situation develops.

In the meantime, what can I do to fight COVID-19?

Keep up the 3W’s!

It’s important for everyone to continue using all the tools available to help stop this pandemic as we learn more about how COVID-19 vaccines work in real-world conditions. Even after vaccination, Veterans and employees should continue to:

• Wear a face covering
• Watch your distance (stay 6 feet apart)
• Wash hands frequently

Important Resources

• Keep Me Informed tool
• VA COVID-19 vaccine website
• CDC COVID-19 vaccine website
• FDA Emergency Use Authorization