Bay Pines VA Healthcare System Offering COVID-19 Novavax Vaccine

Veterans Health Administration sent this bulletin at 08/19/2022 04:14 PM EDT
 

Dear Veteran,

The safety and care of our Veterans and staff remains Bay Pines VA’s top priority. Getting vaccinated and staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines is the best protection against becoming seriously ill or dying from the virus, even if you’ve been previously infected. 

On July 13, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the use of Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted | FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization for individuals who are 18 years or older.  

The authorization of Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine allows VHA to offer another option to protect against COVID-19 for the millions of eligible Americans who have not yet been vaccinated. Due to limited amounts, the vaccine will be available by appointment only at the Bay Pines VA main campus and the Lee County Healthcare Center on Mondays and Thursdays. Please view the chart below for the vaccination schedule as well as information on how you can make an appointment.

Bay Pines VA Novavax Chart

Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine is the first “protein subunit” COVID-19 vaccine available for use in the U.S. With this COVID-19 vaccine, the spike protein itself is injected into the body to induce an immune response. This type of vaccine has been used in the U.S. for more than 30 years and it is the same type of vaccine as some of our current shingles and flu vaccines. Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine is a 2-dose primary series vaccine to be given at least 3 weeks apart. Booster doses are not authorized in the U.S. at this time.

  • A 3 week interval is recommended for people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, adults who are 65 years or older, and in situations in which there is increased concern about COVID-19 Community Levels | CDC or an individual’s higher risk for severe disease.    
  • Extending the dosing interval to 8 weeks may reduce the small risk of myocarditis or pericarditis, especially for males ages 18-39 years. 
  • It is important to get both doses and complete the primary series with Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine.

As always, VA will continue to offer the COVID-19 vaccines to staff and Veterans as well as spouses, caregivers, and CHAMPVA recipients under the authority of the SAVE LIVES Act.  

To find out more about the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine COVID-19 vaccine, please visit Vaccines for COVID-19 | CDC. For more information about COVID-19 vaccines, visit COVID-19 Vaccines At VA | Veterans Affairs and for more information about COVID-19 vaccines in the community visit Vaccines.gov - Find COVID‑19 vaccine locations near you.

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