| April 27, 2021
Dear Veterans,
Great news! We're offering the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine at every Bay Pines VA clinic, with the exception of our clinic in Sarasota. We continue to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In line with this guidance, we will offer this vaccine to Veterans, spouses, caregivers, and CHAMPVA recipients who are at least 18 years old.
When a very small number of people who received the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine experienced rare but serious blood clots, CDC and FDA experts recommended a pause in providing this vaccine so they could carefully study the issue, review these
cases and examine all available data. Based on this review, they're confident that this vaccine is safe for use and works well to prevent COVID-19.
The available data show:
• The vaccine's benefits outweigh its risks
• The chance of blood clots after getting this vaccine is very low
The primary goal of COVID-19 vaccines is to protect those we serve from COVID-19. Your safety—and the safety of all who receive a COVID-19 vaccine from VA—remains our priority.
If we offer you the Janssen vaccine, we'll give you information about the potential risks and benefits. This includes the rare risk of blood clots. We'll also tell you about your other vaccine options from Bay Pines VA.
For more information on how to get a vaccine from us, please visit our COVID-19 vaccines page: www.baypines.va.gov.
If you have questions about COVID-19 vaccines, please contact your primary health care provider.
Call our COVID-19 Call Center at (727) 395-2400 to schedule an appointment, or walk-in to any of the Bay Pines VA locations between the hours of 8:00a.m. and 2:00p.m., Monday through Friday, to get your vaccine.
Sincerely,
Your Bay Pines VA Healthcare Team
Why should you consider getting the COVID-19 vaccine now?
A vaccine will help protect you, other Veterans and our staff by lowering the risk of getting an infection. Vaccines will also slow the spread of the virus protecting our families, friends, and neighbors.
What else you need to know.
You will need to receive two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, and one dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine to be more fully protected. Depending on the vaccine you receive, you may need to be available to come back to the location you received your first dose in either 21 or 28 days for your second dose.
After you receive the vaccine, it will still be important to continue wearing a mask in public, washing your hands, and staying at least six feet from others who don’t live with you until the virus is under control. It is our hope that a vaccine will help us all come through this pandemic together.
How can I get my vaccine?
Please call us today to make an appointment (727) 395-2400 or walk into any of the Bay Pines VA clinics for your vaccine today!
Who can get the vaccine?
With the expanded authority provided by the SAVE LIVES Act, all Veterans, spouses, caregivers, and certain CHAMPVA beneficiaries. You do NOT need to receive healthcare from the VA to get your vaccine. No documentation required. |
