VA ECHCS COVID-19 vaccine information regarding additional/booster doses

ECHCS is closely following CDC recommendations regarding additional doses and booster vaccinations for those who have previously received a full series (two doses) of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.

 

ECHCS is currently offering a third dose to moderately and severely immunocompromised Veterans. This third dose is intended to improve an immunocompromised individual’s response to their initial vaccine series. To be clear, this is not the same as a booster shot.

 

At this time, the CDC is not recommending additional doses, or a booster shot to any other population outside of immunocompromised individuals. It is anticipated that a booster shot will begin to be offered more broadly in fall of 2021. We will continue to monitor this fluid response to COVID-19.

 

The CDC defines moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals as people who have:

• Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
• Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
• Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
• Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
• Advanced or untreated HIV infection
• Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response

If you are a Veteran who is immunocompromised, please contact your provider as a physician’s order is needed to receive your additional dose of the vaccine. Once the order has been placed, you are encouraged to walk into one of our walk-in vaccine sites which are located in the auditorium at the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center or the PFC Floyd K. Lindstrom VA Outpatient Clinic in Colorado Springs Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

 

If you have not received your initial doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, we continue to offer vaccines at both walk-in sites for Veterans and all individuals covered under the SAVE Lives Act.

 

If you know a Veteran who would like to enroll in VA health care, please direct them to www.va.gov/health-care/how-to-apply/.

 

Thank you for your service and thank you for choosing VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System for your health care needs.