Miami VA COVID Vaccination Update - January 20, 2021
The Miami VA Healthcare System is holding COVID-19 vaccination clinics this week for certain patients based on CDC and VHA guidelines. Veterans must receive care in VA and there is no cost to get the vaccine.
Beginning Jan. 20, until Jan. 23, Veterans in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties who are aged 65 years and older and who are active patients of the Miami VA Healthcare System are being offered the COVID-19 vaccine, while supplies allow.
Veterans who receive care at the Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center, Flagler St. VA Clinic or Homestead VA Clinic can receive their vaccination at the Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center, located at 1201 NW 16th St, Miami FL 33125 between the hours of 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Walk-ins welcome.
Veterans who receive care at the William “Bill” Kling VA Clinic, Hollywood VA Clinic, Pembroke Pines VA Clinic or Deerfield VA Clinic will receive their vaccination at the William “Bill” Kling VA Clinic, located at 9800 W Commercial Blvd, Sunrise FL 33351 between the hours of 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Walk-ins welcome.
Veterans must be enrolled and eligible for VA health care benefits. Veterans must be able to return to the same site for their second dose.
Vaccines will be available for walk-ins or by appointment, as supply allows. Appointments are not required.
To schedule an appointment, Veterans can call 305.575.7000 or contact their care team.
*As vaccine supply increases, we will notify additional groups of Veterans who are eligible to receive the vaccine at VA. Veterans may also visit https://www.miami.va.gov/services/covid-19-vaccines.asp for information and updates.
We understand many of our Veteran patients are interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
VA facilities in Florida are following a phased distribution plan in accordance with CDC and VHA guidelines. During this initial phase of limited supply, our facilities are offering vaccinations to the following categories of Veterans receiving care at VA and will contact them directly to schedule an appointment:
- VA Outpatients aged 65 and older
- VA Homeless Veterans, Hemodialysis patients, Solid Organ Transplant patients or patients who are listed for transplant, and Chemotherapy patients (any age)
- VA Community Living Center Residents
- VA Spinal Cord Injury Diseases (SCID) Unit Residents
- Congregate Living Residents
As additional vaccine becomes available for more groups of Veterans, VA care teams will reach out to eligible Veterans to schedule vaccinations. There is no need to preregister or come to a facility to sign up, although Veterans are encouraged to let their Primary Care Provider know so that they can make a note in the patient’s chart and follow up when vaccine is available to them. Visit VA's COVID-19 vaccine website for more information at https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/.
In summary, Veterans who wish to receive more information or register their interest in receiving a vaccine when it is available have two options:
- They can speak with their care teams who will note their interest
- The can visit the VA web page at www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/ and sign up to be contacted
Local COVID Research Opportunities
Miami VA is recruiting volunteers to safely test new vaccines and treatments to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Anyone over the age of 18 can volunteer: Veterans, family members and friends. Your family and community will “thank you for your service.”
Register here: https://www.va.gov/coronavirus-research and we will contact you if you are a good match for a study.
Updated Screening Procedures
VEText is now available at all locations – simply text the word “here” to 53079 when you arrive, and you will be contacted by your care team when it’s time to enter the building. You will also be sent a link to VA’s online screening application. If you wish to be screened in person, all locations are still conducting face-to-face screening and temperature checks upon entry. At the Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center, the patient entrance has been moved to the main lobby, while all other clinics continue to use their main entrance for all appointments.
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