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Madison VA Veterans, Spouses and Caregivers
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on all of our lives and we are all looking forward to getting back to more normal times. Everyday more and more people are contracting the virus, but thankfully we now have vaccines that help to protect us from severe illness and stop the spread. While there are many things we don’t have control over, choosing COVID-19 vaccination is in your control. This is an action you can take that will have a positive impact on our ability to get back to normal life. These vaccines are available at no cost to all Veterans along with their Spouses and Caregivers through the VA.
Definitions for those now eligible for vaccination at the VA, include:
Veterans
- Anyone who served in the U.S. military is eligible to be vaccinated through VA.
Spouse
- For COVID-19 vaccine eligibility, we define a spouse to include marriage, same-sex and common-law marriages. This includes a widow or widower of a Veteran. If you characterize your relationship as spousal, you can receive the vaccine.
Caregivers
- For COVID-19 vaccine eligibility, we define a caregiver as a family member or friend who provides care to the Veteran (examples: helping with personal needs like feeding, bathing, dressing, shopping, or transportation).
In a review of our records, we show that you have either not received a COVID-19 Vaccine or we have not received a copy of your vaccine card. There are several easy ways to get vaccinated with either the Two Dose Moderna or One Dose Johnson & Johnson Vaccine:
- Call 608-280-2160 to be scheduled by our Vaccine Scheduling Team. We have appointments available at the Main Hospital and our Community Based Clinics.
- Walk-In Vaccines at the Main Hospital from 9 am-12pm Monday through Friday until May 28th. Parking for walk-in clinics is at our Vaccine Clinic in our Cancer Treatment Center.
If you have already been vaccinated, please help us update your chart through one of the following ways:
- Text VAX to 530-79. We will still need a copy of your CDC cart to complete the documentation.
- Send a copy our your CDC Vaccine Card through My HealtheVet or bring a copy to your clinic.
- Authorize us to look in the Wisconsin Immunization Registry by following the link and completing VA Form 10-252. This form will help us ensure we know about your community vaccinations and can enter vaccinations you receive at VA into State registries so your care can be effectively coordinated. Send any completed forms to: Release of Information Office (136E), William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, 2500 Overlook Terrace, Madison, WI 53705, or Fax them to 608-830-6655.
If you are interested in registering your spouse or caregiver for an appointment, ask them to sign up right now! The process is simple, just follow this link (choose ‘Madison’ as your vaccination site/Medical Facility): Sign up to get a vaccine | Veterans Affairs. When you sign up through the link, we are notified and then our Vaccine Scheduling team will reach out in one of the following ways once registration is complete: automated phone call, email, text message or direct phone call. We are working hard to schedule these appointments as soon as possible! If you want to be vaccinated with a caregiver or spouse, wait for them to get called and ask them to sign you up for an appointment when they get notified!
We have linked a document that goes over some of the most common questions associated with the COVID-19 Vaccines and we hope you can take a few minutes to review that and share it with family and friends who may also have questions. If you would like to speak with someone from your care team regarding vaccine questions, you can send a message through My HealtheVet or call:
Baraboo: 608-356-9318 Beaver Dam: 920-356-9415
Rockford: 815-227-0081 Janesville: 608-758-9300
Freeport: 815-235-4881 West: 608-280-7059
Central: 608-280-7209
If, after careful consideration with your Providers, you have decided to not receive the COVID-19 Vaccine at this time, please text PASS to 530-79 or call your clinic to notify them. We will reach out to you on a regular basis to continue to offer vaccination in the event that your preference changes.
Help us “Call the Shots” and maximize vaccination to protect ourselves, our community and each other! Get vaccinated, refer a fellow Veteran, sign up your spouse or caregiver, or tell us you have been vaccinated! The sooner we get our community vaccinated, the sooner we can return to normal life.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
The William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital and Clinics
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