St. Cloud VA

UPDATE

October 21, 2022

A monthly newsletter for Veterans served by the St. Cloud VA Health Care System, and for those who serve them. Send news items and comments to St. Cloud VA Health Care System, Attn: Public Affairs Officer, 4801 Veterans Drive, St. Cloud, MN 56303, or via email to barry.venable@va.gov

Flu and COVID-19 Vaccine Update

Vaccines are highly effective in preventing severe disease and death from flu and COVID-19. We have plenty of vaccine available and want to help you stay as safe and healthy as possible. At this point we are not planning on conducting additional mass clinics for flu and COVID-19 booster doses. Please read on to learn how you can get your flu shot or COVID-19 booster or vaccine.

How do I schedule a vaccine?

Flu shots and COVID-19 initial vaccinations, third doses and booster doses are offered to enrolled Veterans as part of most upcoming appointments. With prior scheduled appointments, you do not need to schedule an additional appointment to receive a vaccine—simply ask at your appointment. COVID-19 and flu vaccines can be administered together.  

Veterans needing a flu and/or COVID-19 vaccine-only appointment can schedule a vaccine or booster dose for themselves by calling 320-252-1670, ext. 6339 weekdays between 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

What about non-enrolled Veterans, and spouses and caregivers?

Non-enrolled Veterans, as well as spouses and caregivers of both enrolled and non-enrolled Veterans may receive a COVID-19 vaccine at VA.

Spouses and caregivers of enrolled Veterans who received their initial COVID-19 vaccine through VA may accompany their Veteran and receive a COVID-19 booster dose at an upcoming appointment, or schedule themselves by calling 320-252-1670, ext. 6339.   

Non-enrolled Veterans, spouses and caregivers who have not received a COVID-19 vaccine through VA should call 320-252-1670, ext. 6339 so we can gather some required information and create a record in our system. Once this initial step is accomplished call back two days later at the same number to schedule an appointment.

Flu shots are not available to non-enrolled Veterans, spouses and caregivers.  

Which COVID-19 vaccine should I receive if I haven’t had one yet?

St. Cloud VA currently offers the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine. We no longer offer the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.

The CDC recommends that individuals 18 years and older receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Moderna at our facilities).

The recent authorization of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine allows us to offer another option to those who have not yet been vaccinated to protect against COVID-19.  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. It is the same type of vaccine as some of our current shingles and flu vaccines.

If you have questions as to which vaccine is best for you please consult with your care team. 

What about COVID-19 booster and third doses?

Individuals 18 years and older should get a booster if they completed a Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna COVID-19, Novavax, or Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine series or had any previous booster at least 2 months ago.

St. Cloud VA facilities currently offer the updated Moderna COVID-19 bivalent vaccine as a booster dose.  Only one booster dose with bivalent vaccine is needed – there is no need for repeat doses at this time. Booster doses using Novavax vaccine are not yet available through VA.

An additional (third) dose of Moderna vaccine is offered to people who have moderate to severe immune compromise and received either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.  Consult with you provider if you think you meet the criteria to receive a third dose. 

What do I need to bring?

A CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card should be brought to all COVID-19 vaccine appointments. This is particularly important if your initial series was given outside of VA.

Where else can I get a COVID-19 vaccine?

If you choose, you can also receive your booster shot at no cost to you outside of VA.  You can locate a vaccine site at Vaccines.gov - Search for COVID-19 vaccine locations

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. Learn more about managing your COVID-19 vaccine records online.

Are flu shots also available through VA’s Community Care Network?

Eligible Veterans can receive free flu shots at more than 70,000 Community Care Network (CCN) retail pharmacies and urgent care locations from Sept. 1, 2022, through April 30, 2023.

Veterans can use the VA Locator to find a VA facility, in-network retail pharmacy or urgent care location near them by visiting: https://www.va.gov/find-locations.

Veterans should call ahead to make sure the flu shot is available at the location of their choosing. Veterans can find in-network locations in their area by entering:

• City, state, or postal code: Enter the appropriate ZIP code for your area
• Facility Type: Select "Urgent Care" OR "Community pharmacies (in VA’s network)"
• Service Type: If "Urgent Care" is selected for Facility Type, choose "Community urgent care providers (in VA’s network)"

Veterans using the CCN should tell the in-network community care staff they are an eligible Veteran enrolled with VA, and show a government-issued identification (e.g., Veterans Health Identification Card or driver’s license).

Stand-alone flu shot visits to in-network community urgent care providers are copay free and are not counted as an urgent care visit. Other vaccinations are not available through the CCN.

Veterans who get a flu shot outside of VA or the VA’s Community Care Network are asked to inform their VA care team.

State of Minnesota Veterans Day Ceremony

The official State of Minnesota Veterans Day will be back in person this year at the Veterans Memorial Community Center in Inver Grove Heights. The event will kick off with a free community breakfast starting at 8:30 a.m. The official program will start at 10 a.m. featuring remarks from Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) Commissioner Larry Herke and elected officials.

Due to continued pandemic impacts and safety protocols, a public Veterans Day commemoration is not planned at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center.

Dispose of old and unused medications at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center on VA Take Back Day on Oct. 29

Members of the public can take advantage of a special opportunity to dispose of expired prescriptions, including controlled substances, at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center, 4801 Veterans Drive, in St. Cloud, on Saturday, October 29, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Participants should enter at the Building 1 main entrance and use the medication dropbox in the Building 5 Pharmacy area.  

Those who can’t participate can use the U.S Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Public Disposal Locations Search Tool to locate year-round authorized collection locations.  DEA holds twice yearly Take Back Days, on the last Saturday in the months of April and October.

Veterans enrolled for VA care can dispose of their expired and unused medications during normal business hours by using the dropbox in the Pharmacy area.

Veterans Virtual Town Hall Meeting Scheduled for November 8

A virtual Veterans town hall meeting focused on improving VA health care services and programs is scheduled on November 8, 2022, at 2 p.m., for Veterans served by the Max J. Beilke VA Clinic in Alexandria and the St. Cloud VA Health Care System.

The virtual town hall meeting provides Veterans the chance to hear from and have concerns addressed by St. Cloud VA officials while observing social distancing guidelines.

Veterans can visit https://tinyurl.com/2p893jaw to attend the virtual meeting. Veterans may also call in to participate in the meeting at 1-872-701-0185 and use access code 912 611 038#. If using a smart phone to access the town hall meeting, please download the Microsoft Teams application that is found in the application store on a smartphone. The application can be found by searching for Microsoft Teams. If using a computer, simply click the link provided and select “Watch on the web instead.”

VA Expands Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers to Veterans of All Service Eras

On October 1, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) expanded the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) to include eligible Veterans and their family caregivers of all eras.

VA’s PCAFC provides resources, education, support, a financial stipend, health insurance (if eligible), and additional benefits to Family Caregivers of eligible Veterans.

For more information about the PCAFC expansion, or to learn more about VA’s Caregiver Support Program, visit www.caregiver.va.gov/index.asp, reach out to the St. Cloud VA Caregiver Support Team at 320-252-1670, ext. 7283, or call our Caregiver Support Line at 855-260-3274 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Intro to Whole Health course offerings near your home in November!

Intro to Whole Health is an educational class that equips you to take charge of your health by emphasizing life-enhancing strategies, self-healing and self-care. In November the course is available at the following dates times and locations:

St. Cloud—Women’s only course

Wednesday, November 9

• 9 to 11 a.m.

St. Cloud

Wednesday, November 2

• 9 to 11 a.m.
• 2 to 4 p.m.
• 4 to 6 p.m.

Wednesday, November 16

• Noon to 2 p.m.

The St. Cloud courses are offered either in-person or via video. For all classes call Whole Health at 320-252-1670, ext. 5401 to schedule!