The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized three COVID-19 vaccines. Congress has passed a new law that allows VA to offer COVID-19 vaccines to more people. VA is now able to offer vaccine to the following groups who are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine at VA when their local VA facilities have enough vaccine:
Veterans
Anyone who "JOINED" the service regardless of discharge status
Any length of service
Any status of discharge
Active, Reserve and Guard
Spouse of a Veteran
Currently Married
Divorced or Surviving
Caregivers of a Veteran
For Vaccination purposes, there is an expanded definition of CAREGIVER to include any person who assists the Veteran with activities of daily living, including but not limited to: Feeding, Bathing, Dressing, Shopping, Transportation, etc.
Recipients of Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) benefits
The best way to stay informed is to sign up to tell VA you'd like to get a COVID-19 vaccine at VA. Your local VA facility will then contact you when they have a vaccine for you.
For your continued health and safety during this pandemic, please don't come to a VA health facility to request a COVID-19 vaccine without an appointment unless you are coming to a specific scheduled event such as a walk-in clinic or drive-through clinic that does not require an appointment.
Note: Your employer, pharmacy, or local public health officials may offer you a COVID-19 vaccine. We encourage you to take the first opportunity you have to get a vaccine at the most convenient location for you.
How will I be contacted about getting the vaccine? VA Palo Alto is calling Veterans in high-risk categories to schedule them for COVID vaccine appointments. Currently, we are offering COVID vaccinations only by appointment. VA Palo Alto is offering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at the Palo Alto and Livermore Divisions, the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the Stockton, San Jose, and Monterey Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), and the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at the Modesto CBOC. To reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19, Veterans should not come into our VA facility looking to receive a vaccine without an appointment. When you are called to schedule your vaccine appointment, you will be provided details about where to go on campus to get your vaccine.
Can I contact VA directly to schedule? Yes! If you wish to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, give VA a call Monday – Friday, at (650) 496-2535, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. to be scheduled for an appointment.
In the meantime, here is what you can do to fight COVID-19?
Keep up the 3W’s!
It’s important for everyone to continue using all the tools available to help stop this pandemic as we learn more about how COVID-19 vaccines work in real-world conditions. Even after vaccination, Veterans and employees should continue to:
Wear a face covering
Watch your distance (stay 6 feet apart)
Wash hands frequently
To get the latest updates and sign up to stay informed about COVID-19 vaccines, visit VA's vaccine information page.