MEDIA ADVISORY: Biloxi, Pensacola VA Facilities to Host Drive-Thru COVID-19 Vaccinations

Biloxi, Pensacola VA Facilities to Host Drive-Thru COVID-19 Vaccinations 
Feb. 13 Vaccinations are by appointment only

BILOXI, Miss. – The Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System's (GCVHCS) Biloxi Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Biloxi, Mississippi, and Joint Ambulatory Care Center (JACC) in Pensacola, Florida, are scheduled to host drive-thru COVID-19 vaccinations on Feb. 13.

Using the mass vaccination model used by numerous public health organizations, both the Biloxi and Pensacola facilities will offer COVID-19 vaccinations by appointment only from 8 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. based on availability, according to Dr. M. Christopher Saslo, the GCVHCS associate director for patient care services and nurse executive.

"This effort will help to boost the number of vaccines being delivered to our Veteran population with the support of the VA Network Office and VA Central Office efforts," he said. "With more than 75,000 registered Veterans throughout the Gulf Coast, it is vital to maximize these efforts in order to minimize risk to our Veterans at risk for exposure." 

Saslo added that GCVHCS COVID-19 vaccination prioritization falls in line with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations and VA guidelines, which include Veterans over the age of 65, Veterans in residential behavioral health facilities, caregiver support recipients, Veterans with spinal cord issues and Veterans in long-term care facilities.

He also said that other high-risk populations that are being added as deemed available through vaccine delivery.

Veterans interested in receiving a COVID-19 vaccination during the appointment only Biloxi and Pensacola VA facility events are encouraged to register by calling 1-800-296-8872.

Media interested in attending either of these events are encouraged to contact the GCVHCS Chief of Community and Public Affairs, Vernon Stewart, at 816-806-7571 or at vernon.stewart@va.gov. Media attending will be required to wear face-coverings and observe physical distancing protocols.

The Biloxi VA Medical Center and the Mobile, Pensacola, Eglin and Panama City VA Clinics are all part of the Gulf Coast Veterans Healthcare System (GCVHCS) which is headquartered in Biloxi, Mississippi, and provide a variety of medical outpatient services to more than 75,000 Veterans.

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