Director Update: 

Dear Veterans,

The first step in stopping the COVID-19 pandemic remains vaccinating as many eligible individuals as possible. The vaccines available now are highly effective in preventing severe disease and death from COVID-19, including from the most prevalent variants in the United States.

Last month, VA began providing Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine boosters, a decision following the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) authorization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendations.

Starting immediately, VA sites carrying Moderna and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccines will offer boosters under Emergency Use Authorization. This decision follows the FDA authorization and CDC recommendation for a booster shot for both the Moderna and J&J vaccines.

Here at the Madison VA we are offering the Moderna Vaccine.

The groups eligible for booster shots include:

• For individuals who received a Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at least 6 months after their initial series:

• 65 years and older
• Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
• Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
• Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings
• For individuals who received a Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are recommended for those who are 18 and older and who were vaccinated at least 2 months ago.

Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received and others may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots. However, the Madison VA is only offering the Moderna Vaccine at this time.

VA will offer booster vaccines to Veterans receiving care at VA and VA employees, and all other Veterans, spouses, caregivers and CHAMPVA recipients under the authority of the SAVE LIVES Act, as supply and capacity permits.

If you are interested in scheduling an appointment for a Moderna Booster Vaccine, please call 608-280-2160. We look forward to seeing you!

- John Rohrer, Hospital Director

Let's talk about it...

Are you feeling angry, sad, frustrated, withdrawn or helpless? Perhaps questioning the meaning of your service? Recent events in Afghanistan and the 20th anniversary of 9/11 may be causing you a mix of emotions. Please know your reactions are normal and you are not alone. 

If you are struggling, know that there are other resources you can access now: 

Madison VA Mental Health – Individual and group sessions available. 1-608-280-7084.

Veterans Crisis Line - If you are having thoughts of suicide, call 1-800-273-8255, then PRESS 1 or visit https://www.veteranscrisisline.net

For emergency mental health care, you can also go directly to your local VA medical center 24/7 regardless of your discharge status or enrollment in other VA health care.

Vet Centers - Discuss how you feel with other Veterans in these community-based counseling centers. 70% of Vet Center staff are Veterans. Call 1-877-927-8387 or find one near you. 

VA Mental Health Services Guide - This guide will help you sign up and access mental health services.

Maketheconnection.net - information, resources, and Veteran to Veteran videos for challenging life events and experiences with mental health issues.

RallyPoint - Talk to other Veterans online. Discuss: What are your feelings as the Taliban reclaim Afghanistan after 20 years of US involvement?

Download VA's self-help apps - Tools to help deal with common reactions like, stress, sadness, and anxiety. You can also track your symptoms over time.

The Madison VA has a new opportunity for Veterans of all eras, and family caregivers of Veterans, to get involved in helping VA better serve Veterans and families.

As part of the nationwide movement to engage stakeholders in research, the Madison VA is forming a new Veteran Research Engagement Group (VetREG).

The VetREG is an advisory group consisting of Veterans and caregivers who meet with VA healthcare researchers to provide their input on research studies and projects.

This is an opportunity for the Veteran voice to be heard and will help improve the quality and relevance of research and clinical innovation at the Madison VA.

We are seeking Veterans and family members in the Madison VA catchment area to join the VetREG – all are welcome, and older Veterans and their caregivers are especially encouraged to apply for membership.

Members of the VetREG will receive training and participate in regular group meetings to review project materials and give feedback to healthcare researchers.

Training and meetings will be held virtually, and members will be reimbursed for their time.  Meetings will occur 4-6 times per year and will be held at a time convenient to VetREG members (likely evenings).

To learn more or complete an application to be part of the VetREG, please go to redcap.link/VetREG  or contact Sydney Hoel (sydney.hoel@va.gov or +1-608-262-8744). We look forward to hearing from you!