Some Veterans, spouses and caregivers can receive a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine booster shot from VA.
In line with recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC), only people who have already received a full series of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at least six months ago have been authorized to receive a Pfizer booster shot.
The FDA and the CDC continue to review data to determine whether and when it might be recommended for recipients of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson (J&J)/Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine(s). VA will plan to offer boosters of these vaccines if authorized and recommended.
Here are the Veterans, spouses and caregivers who have been authorized to receive the Pfizer booster:
The Pfizer booster is not being offered at all VA medical centers. Please contact your local VA facility to find the nearest location where you can receive the booster.
In the meantime, you can get your booster shot at no cost to you outside of VA. You can locate a vaccine site at https://www.vaccines.gov/search/. Make sure to take your CDC COVID-19 vaccination record card when you go!
“With the authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech booster for eligible individuals, VA can provide Veterans an opportunity to maximize their protection, continuing our work to keep people safe and save lives during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough.
Veterans who receive care in VA and are due for booster shots will be contacted and advised of the recommended shots, which may be offered by appointment or on a walk-in basis.
You can get both the COVID-19 vaccine and your annual flu vaccine at the same time. Veterans receiving care at VA who wish to get a booster shot can get both shots together during the same visit.
Veterans who would like additional information can visit the VA COVID-19 vaccines webpage, visit their local facility’s website or contact their care team. If you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit the VA COVID-19 questions web page.
To read more blogs regarding COVID-19 vaccinations, visit https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/?s=vaccination.
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Thank you for this message. My husband and I received our 1st and 2nd March 20, and April 10,2021, by the the VA home health nurse, in our home. My husband is the Vet, and I am his VA caregiver. We are very pleased we will get our booster. Thank you.
Sherry Pace Salazar
I was at the VA today and told flu shots are not yet available and the Covid booster is only given if your doctor puts me in for it. I am 67, vaccinated in February. So what is the real story?
The real story is that the guidance on the booster has been changing and opening up daily over the last 10 days and really only openly given, ie - not case by case - to the public since a day or two ago. Each of the VA hospitals run on VA guidance, but yet, are still independently ran by the hospital chief of staff. IF the conditions at that facility are in a way in which they are not yet set up to give them, then they wont/cant.
as for the Flu shot, you can go to any Walgreen's or CVS and get them free.
What about VA patients that received the J&J? I got COVID while vaccinated with J&J and was very sick. I’d like a booster of Phizer.
None of the vaccine manufacturers, the FDA and the CDC say that you can or should do that. J&J is different from the mRNA type vaccines that are Phizer or Maderna. There isn't enough research yet, much less volunteers, that have had both to show that it is safe to take the two differing types of vaccines. One could nullify the other or both. OR, could cause other unintended affects. It is hard enough to get people to get the shots, now if you start having complications because of taking two different types, then you will never go those people to get the shots.
Do yourself a favor and DONT do it. Follow the guidance from the experts. I am sure each of the other manufacturers want the fat check from the gov buying their vaccines for boosters and will have them available as soon as the research says it is safe and most effective.
Thank you for this vital and yet important information on booster and flu shots.
As a 72 year old, veteran who is classified as 100% disabled, I would like to have my 72 year old wife receive the booster but your site isn't clear about this. Is she able to go into our VA in Augusta, Georgia and have the booster shot administered? I asked about this last week when I received my booster but was told it wasn't possible.
Thanks for the update on the availability of the Covid booster shot. Sure wish the booster shot was available at the Camp Springs, MD VA Office.
THANK YOU for the constant great support I receive from my VA providers. I am ready for my booster vaccine and will schedule. Scott Smith.
Can I go the VA and get a flu shot and Covid vaccine on the same day ?
It was clearly stated in the article that, Yes, you can. It is safe and allowed.
Just make sure to call ahead and verify that your local VA center is doing both.
I live in Albuquerque and I can't even get my team to return my phone calls.
You have the option of where to receive your booster shot at no cost to you, both in and outside of VA.
(1) You can message your PACT team or call your local VA healthcare center to ask about walk-in hours or schedule an appointment for your booster shot. If you are in a group that CDC recommends get a booster and received a Pfizer-BioNTech initial vaccine series in VA 6 or more months ago, you should also hear from VA about a booster shot.
(2) If you choose to get your vaccine outside of VA, you can locate a COVID-19 vaccine site at https://www.vaccines.gov/search/. Please make sure to bring your CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card when you go!
I received the first two Covid vaccines. I'm ready for my booster. I'm 82 years. The vaccines I received were Moderna. Does the VA only offer Pfizer?
Right now, Phizer is the only one that is authorized at this time. Its not that the VA doesn't want to offer one over the other, it is just that they are not allowed yet. Given time, there research will show when is best and safest for the other types to be given as a booster. It just hasn't been proven safe and most effective yet!