COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic to open for Veterans age 75 and older on Jan. 23

Dear SFVAHCS Veteran,

We would like to inform you that Veterans age 75 and older are invited to participate in a large vaccination effort at the San Francisco VA Medical Center on Saturday, Jan. 23.  We will send another email when we are able to offer vaccinations to Veterans age 65 and older, but ask that you please wait if you are in that age group.      

PLEASE REVIEW THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT SCREENING QUESTIONS BELOW PRIOR TO SCHEDULING YOUR COVID-19 VACCINE.

If any of the below are TRUE, please DO NOT schedule yourself for the COVID-19 vaccine at this time.  You may need to wait until the vaccine is safe to give.  Please discuss risks with your VA Care Team. If none of the points below apply to you and you are age 75 or older, please proceed in scheduling your appointment. 

1. Are you feeling sick today?  If YES, do not schedule. Call Telephone Linked Care for symptoms 24/7: at 800-733-0502.
2. Have you had a recent illness in the past two weeks? If YES, do not schedule. Call your PACT TEAM for guidance.
3. Have you had COVID-19, or been exposed to someone with COVID-19?  If YES, do not schedule. Call your PACT TEAM for guidance.
   • History of COVID exposure:  No vaccine until end of quarantine period (usually ~10 days)  
   • History of COVID illness:  Symptoms must be resolved, no vaccine until ~20 days after onset of symptoms or first positive test)

4. Have you already received a COVID-19 vaccine?   If YES, do not schedule. Call your PACT TEAM for guidance.
5. Will you be available in approximately 28 days to receive your SECOND DOSE of vaccine at SFVAHCS?  If NO, wait to schedule first dose.
6. Have you ever had a severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) to something (for example, a reaction for which you were treated with epinephrine or EpiPen)? If YES, do not schedule. Call your PACT TEAM for guidance.
7. Have you received passive antibody therapy (i.e., monoclonal antibodies or convalescent serum) as treatment for COVID-19?  If YES, vaccination should be deferred for 90 days as it may decrease vaccine effectiveness.
8. Have you received any other vaccine in the last 14 days?  If YES, you will need to wait 14 days from your last vaccination before receiving the COVID vaccination. If you are planning another vaccination, it is recommended to delay the other vaccine series until the COVID vaccine series is complete and wait 14 days from the second COVID vaccination before other vaccinations.

If none of the above apply to you and you are age 75 or older, please call 415-750-2204 to schedule your COVID-19 vaccination at the SFVA Saturday Clinic from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 23. Or, to receive your vaccine at another location, please call your local CBOC. NO DROP-IN VISITS WILL BE ACCEPTED. PLEASE MAKE AN APPOINTMENT.

• San Bruno - 650-615-6000
• Downtown San Francisco - 415-281-5100
• Santa Rosa - 707-569-2300
• Clearlake - 707-995-7200
• Ukiah - 707-468-7700
• Eureka - 707-269-7500

Please review and complete the COVID-19 Vaccination Patient Package prior to your appointment.   Bring this paperwork with you to your appointment.

More information about the COVID-19 vaccine may be found at: https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/

"... to care for him whom shall have borne the battle and his widow, and his orphan..."

- Abraham Lincoln