By Appointment Only - Novavax COVID Vaccine Available

The Miami VA Healthcare System is now offering updated COVID-19 booster vaccines, also called bivalent vaccines, at locations throughout South Florida. Both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are available.

Given the fast spread of the Omicron variant, getting an updated booster as soon as you are eligible is critical. COVID-19 vaccines are provided at no cost to Veterans, Spouses and Caregivers.

Locations and Availability:

Both the Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center in Miami and the William “Bill” Kling VA Clinic in Sunrise offer the vaccines Monday – Friday during regular business hours. Other VA clinics will offer them on specific days of the week during regular business hours. Appointments are not needed, but encouraged.

• Flagler St. VA Clinic - Mondays
• Deerfield Beach VA Clinic – Tuesdays
• Key Large VA Clinic – Wednesdays
• Key West VA Clinic – Wednesdays
• Pembroke Pines VA Clinic Wednesdays
• Hollywood VA Clinic – Thursdays
• Homestead VA Clinic – Fridays

Veterans are encouraged to contact your care team to schedule an appointment for your updated booster shot. Our staff will help you find a time that’s convenient for you.

Updated Booster Shot Eligibility

The CDC recently issued recommendations for getting an updated COVID-19 booster. The following people should get a booster:

1. Individuals 18 years and older who completed primary series vaccination with two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna or Novavax COVID-19 vaccine at least 2 months ago, or with a Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at least 2 months ago. People who have received one or two prior booster doses are also eligible 2 months after their most recent dose. These individuals can get either a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 updated booster.
2. Adolescents 12-17 years old who completed initial series or booster vaccination with a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at least 2 months ago. Persons under age 18 can only get a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for their initial series and for their updated booster.

If you received your updated booster outside of the VA, we encourage you to share this information with your VA health care team. You can do this by adding your vaccine information to your MyHealtheVet health summary for your own records. To add your information, you’ll need a premium MyHealtheVet account.

The Miami VA Healthcare System has also  begun offering the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine to unvaccinated Veterans, employees, spouses of Veterans and caregivers by appointment only. Call your care team today to make your appointment! 

For more information about Novavax, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html.

Please bring your vaccination card to your booster appointment if available.

Due to COVID-19, no visitors, including children or babies, are allowed, although exceptions may be made in advance for end-of-life or other concerns on a case-by-case basis.

Due to COVID-19, no visitors are allowed; unless preapproved for end of life situations or clinical necessity. This includes children and babies. Everyone entering our facilities is screened and face masks are mandatory. 

Veterans should check-in for scheduled appointments from the safety of their vehicle by sending the word "here" to 53079. This will notify your care team that you are at the facility waiting to be called into your appointment. You must use a cellphone that is on file in your electronic health record.

Veterans Benefits Workshop: PACT Act and more - Sept. 17

A Veterans Benefits Workshop is scheduled for this Saturday, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. with representatives from local veterans service organizations, the Miami VA Healthcare System,  and others to help Veterans learn about and apply for benefits related to the PACT Act (Toxic Exposure and Burn Pits). 

Saturday, September 17, 2022
10:00a.m. - 1:00p.m.
Nova Southeastern University
Carl DeSantis Building
3050 Ray Ferrero Jr. Blvd, Davie
For information call 954-845-1179

To learn more about the PACT Act, visit VA's official site here. 

Over COVID and still have symptoms?

The Miami VA Healthcare System Post-COVID Clinic serves Veterans suffering from symptoms that persist four weeks or longer after a COVID infection.

We perform a thorough evaluation to determine the best way to get YOU back to the BEST YOU. Most common persisting symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, difficulty tolerating  physical or mental activity, decreased memory and concentration, cough or other symptoms. We have an full team including physicians, physician assistants, physical therapists, speech/language therapists, nutritionists and whole health coaches to help you return to your health and abilities that you had before the COVID infection. 

If you are interested or want to know more, contact your care team or call 954-325-0187.  

Honor Flight South Florida

Veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam are invited to participate in the next Honor Flight to Washington, DC!

Honor Flight South Florida is a 100% all-volunteer organization, dedicated solely to honoring all veterans in Broward, Dade, and Monroe counties by escorting veterans to Washington D.C. to visit and reflect at the memorials built in their honor.  Top priority is given to our most senior defenders of freedom, World War II and Korean War veterans, and those veterans who are terminally ill.  Also, we are now serving Vietnam Veterans.  Every one of these veterans fly absolutely free.

The veteran’s one-day mission to Washington D.C. includes round-trip airfare, deluxe bus transportation throughout Washington with police escorts, meals, commemorative tee shirts, and other amenities needed to travel comfortably. Disabled veterans are also welcome; with advance arrangements, honor chairs and oxygen are available.

Apply today - visit: www.honorflightsouthflorida.org or email: info@honorflightsouthflorida.org

Interested in supporting the Honor Flight? Email: info@honorflightsouthflorida.org

*sent on behalf of Honor Flight South Florida as a courtesy to our Veterans

Hurricane Season is Here: Be Ready for Anything!

The Atlantic hurricane season is June 1 – November 30. Never underestimate the value of being prepared! 

Forecasters at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service, are predicting above-average hurricane activity this year — which would make it the seventh consecutive above-average hurricane season. NOAA’s outlook for the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season, which extends from June 1 to November 30, predicts a 65% chance of an above-normal season, a 25% chance of a near-normal season and a 10% chance of a below-normal season.

For the 2022 hurricane season, NOAA is forecasting a likely range of 14 to 21 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 6 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). NOAA provides these ranges with a 70% confidence.

For more information on how to be prepared - visit the Miami VA Hurricane Preparedness Page

About the Miami VA Healthcare System

The Miami VA Healthcare System serves Veterans in three South Florida counties:  Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe To learn about the Miami VA Healthcare System, please visit us at https://www.va.gov/miami-health-care/, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/miamivamc or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MiamiVAMC.