Bay Pines VA Now Offering Flu Vaccines and Updated COVID-19 Boosters

Dear Veteran,

Bay Pines VA Healthcare System is now offering the updated bivalent COVID-19 boosters to members of the following groups who have already completed a COVID-19 vaccine primary series: all Veterans, even if they’re not receiving care from VA, spouses or surviving spouses, caregivers, and CHAMPVA recipients under the authority of the SAVE LIVES Act.

• The updated booster protects against both the original virus that causes COVID-19 as well as the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants
• Individuals who have completed a primary series, including those who have received booster doses and whose last shot was at least two months ago, are eligible for the updated booster
• People 12-17 years old can only receive the Pfizer-BioNTech updated booster
• People 18 years and older can receive either a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna updated booster

If you haven’t received your primary COVID-19 series yet, you should consider getting it now. After you have completed a primary series, you will be eligible for an updated booster two months after your last dose. A primary series can consist of any of the options listed below:

• Two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, two doses of Moderna vaccine, two doses of Novavax vaccine, or one dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine

Receiving an updated booster will ensure you are up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, which will better guard you against severe illness and death from this virus. You will also be able to safely get your flu vaccine at the same time you receive your updated booster. If you’d like to receive your updated COVID-19 booster, or your flu shot, please view the tables below for the vaccination schedules. To make an appointment please call 727-398-6661, or contact us toll free at 888-820-0230, and press 0. Due to damage sustained during Hurricane Ian, our Lee County Healthcare Center as well as our Naples and Port Charlotte VA clinics are closed until further notice.

In addition to being offered by VA, no-cost flu shots will also be available at retail pharmacies and urgent care locations until April 30, 2023. To locate a VA medical facility, in-network urgent care, or retail pharmacy near you, use the VA Locator and follow the steps below:

• Enter the city, state, or postal ZIP code for your location.
• Choose a Facility Type from the drop-down menu
• Select VA health for VA medical center locations
• Select Urgent Care, for “All in-network urgent care”
• Select Community pharmacies (in VA’s network)
• Click search
• Choose a provider

As a reminder, universal masking and entrance screening is still in effect at all VA health care facilities, and physical distancing is required in all waiting areas, public areas, and workspaces.

Visit www.prevention.va.gov/flu for more information about flu shots. For more information about COVID-19 vaccines, please visit https://www.va.gov/bay-pines-health-care/programs/covid-19-vaccines/.