COVID-19 Boosters and Flu Shots Offered at VA Long Beach!

Veterans Health Administration sent this bulletin at 10/28/2021 04:54 PM EDT

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U S Department of Veterans Affairs - V A Long Beach Healthcare System

COVID-19 Boosters at VA Long Beach

VA Long Beach is now offering Moderna and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine booster doses under Emergency Use Authorization. This decision follows the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation for a booster shot for both the Moderna and J&J vaccines.

 Who can get a booster shot?

  • For individuals who received a Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at least six months ago, the following groups are eligible:
  • 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.
  • 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. 
  • Booster vaccines are available by appointment only.

Which booster shot can I get?

  • Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. 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. 
  • Please note that VA Long Beach currently offers Moderna and J&J COVID vaccine booster doses.  

How do I schedule an appointment?

  • Veterans interested in scheduling their COVID vaccine booster dose appointment may call the Call Center at (562) 826-5300. 
    • The Call Center operates Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
  • Veterans eligible for a COVID vaccine booster dose are also being contacted through VEText messaging. 
  • All persons coming in for a booster shot should bring their vaccine card with them.

Can I get a flu shot at the same appointment as my COVID-19 vaccine?

  • Yes!  CDC advises that it is safe for people to get both the COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine at the same time.

 

Get Your Flu Shot 

Flu shots are free of charge to all enrolled Veterans. There are many quick and easy options to choose from:

  1. Ask your nurse or provider for a flu shot at your next in-person appointment.
  2. Go to our VA Long Beach Walk-In Flu Clinic at the Vaccination Center in Bldg. 165 (“The Egg”), Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
  3. Walk-in to Primary Care at our Community Based Outpatient Clinics and request a flu shot during normal business hours.
  4. Use the VA Locator (https://www.va.gov/find-locations/) to identify pharmacies or urgent care clinics offering free flu shots to enrolled Veterans. Please call to confirm that the pharmacy or clinic is participating in the program. Bring 1) a valid state issued ID and 2) current VA ID to the appointment.

For more information, call our Flu Shot Hotline at (562) 826-8171.