St. Cloud VA

UPDATE

October 20, 2023

Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Now Available

St. Cloud VA sites of care are now offering updated Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for the 2023-2024 season. The updated vaccine targets more recent COVID-19 strains. Due to changes in the virus, it is important to get the updated vaccine as soon as you are eligible.

Enrolled Veterans attending previously scheduled appointments can get the updated 2023-2024 vaccine during their visit, as supplies allow. Veterans without scheduled appointments can make a vaccine-only appointment by calling 320-252-1670, ext. 6339 to schedule. 

Updated vaccines are available free of charge to Veterans receiving care at VA. VA is not offering the updated vaccine to spouses.

Updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility

The CDC recently issued the following updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine recommendations:

1. All adults should receive one updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine dose, if it’s been at least 2 months since receiving any older COVID-19 vaccine.
2. Anyone who has not yet received any COVID-19 vaccine should receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine.

Additionally,

1. People with moderately to severely immunocompromising conditions may receive additional updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 doses, if recommended by their provider.

You are up to date if you have had one dose of the most recent COVID-19 vaccine that became available in September 2023-2024.

COVID-19 Vaccines Also Available through VA’s Community Care Network

Eligible Veterans can receive COVID-19 vaccines at more than 70,000 Community Care Network (CCN) retail pharmacies and urgent care locations.

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.

If you received your vaccine 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.

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Veterans, and screening can be lifesaving because lung cancer is most treatable when caught early. Stop by the lung cancer screening information booth in the St. Cloud VA Canteen on Nov. 16 to learn more. Can’t make it? Visit My HealtheVet to send a message or make an appointment to talk to your VA provider about lung cancer screening.

You might be eligible for lung cancer screening if you:

• Are 50-80 years old
• Smoke cigarettes now or quit within the past 15 years
• Have a smoking history of at least 20 pack-years (this means 1 pack per day for 20 years or 2 packs a day for 10 years, etc)

November 16 is the Great American Smoke-Out

It’s Never Too Late To Quit Smoking and Start Breathing Easier

When you stop smoking, you feel the benefits almost immediately, no matter how long you’ve smoked. If you’re waiting for the perfect time to quit, this year’s Great American Smokeout on November 16 is a great opportunity. VA is here to support you along your quit journey — from planning before you quit to finding long-term solutions so you can start breathing easier.

Quitting Any Day Can Help You Every Day

Whether you’re 18 or 81, you feel the benefits of quitting tobacco almost right away, and the benefits continue to build over time. A year after quitting, your risk of heart attack drops sharply. Within two to five years, your risk of stroke decreases and may match that of someone who does not smoke. Five to 10 years after you quit smoking, your risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, lungs and bladder is cut in half.

Smoking also puts you at greater risk for the common cold, the flu and pneumonia. People who smoke get respiratory illnesses more frequently and are more likely to need hospitalization if they become sick. If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the best thing you can do for your health is stop smoking. Quitting also makes it easier to manage the condition.

When you’re ready to take the first step, VA can help you develop a quit plan and provide you with support to stick to it. Even if you’ve tried quitting before, your VA provider can help you try a new therapy or combination of treatments that may work for you.

Medication Take Back

Members of the public can take advantage of a special opportunity near their home to safely dispose of expired prescriptions, including controlled substances.

VA Take Back Days are scheduled at the following locations and times:

• In St. Cloud at the VA Medical Center, 4801 Veterans Drive, on Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enter at the Bldg. 1 main Entrance near the flagpole.

• In Alexandria at the Max J. Beilke VA Clinic, 410 30th Ave E, on Nov. 6 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• In Brainerd at the Brainerd VA Clinic, 722 NW 7th St., on Nov. 7 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• In Montevideo at the Montevideo VA Clinic, 1025 N 13th St., on Nov. 8 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Those who can’t participate in these events can use the U.S Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Public Disposal Locations Search Tool to locate year-round authorized collection locations. 

Healthy Teaching Kitchen

In person or via video (VVC)

Two (2) Nutrition education specific classes offered

• Bring a spouse, caregiver or supporter
• Food samples offered

Flavors of the Mediterranean (4 class series)

• Free Mediterranean cookbook upon course completion
• Learn great recipes, basic nutrition safety and general health concepts

Food as our Medicine 

• Nutrition education specific to metabolic syndrome and its risk factors

For more information call the Nutrition Clinic at 320-252-1670, ext. 6376

See the Healthy Teaching Kitchen Flyer.

 National Family Caregivers Month Kickoff Celebration!

Join the St. Cloud VA Caregiver Support Program to start the celebration!

• October 31, 2023, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• St. Cloud VA, Building 8, Auditorium

Presentation Schedule

• 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.: “Home Safety and Fall Prevention”
• 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.: “Firearm Life Plan”
• Noon - 1 p.m.: “Psychological First Aid”
• 1 - 2 p.m.: “SAVE for Caregivers”

Caregivers, Veterans, VA staff, community caregiver agencies and those interested in keeping their loved ones safe are welcome. Print the Caregivers Month Kickoff Celebration Flyer.

Call St. Cloud VA Caregiver Support at 320-252-1670, ext. 7283 with questions. 

Understanding Body Composition Improves Health!

In just 45 seconds, a body composition analysis can provide:

• Percent Body Fat
• Skeletal Muscle Mass 
• Basal Metabolic Rate 
• Total Body Water 
• Visceral Fat

Ongoing analysis can track changes in weight, skeletal muscle mass and percent body fat over time.  

This can help you lose weight, gain weight, prevent certain diseases, improve overall wellbeing, minimize muscle loss with aging, and simply stay healthy!

No referral needed and free to all enrolled Veterans!

Contact the Nutrition Clinic at 320-252-1670, ext. 6376 to schedule your body composition analysis!

New Community Care Call Center hours

For assistance with community care referrals, the call center (320-252-1670, ext. 6401) has recently extended hours of operations. New hours of operation are:

Monday: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tuesday: 8: 30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Thursday: 8:30-3:30 p.m.

Friday: 8:30 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. Call 320-252-1670, ext. 5401 to reserve your spot