All of Florida's veterans can now access the VA for COVID vaccines.
Before passage of the SAVE LIVES Act, veterans had to be enrolled for healthcare at the VA in order to get their shots at a VA facility. Buzz Bryan, outreach coordinator at the West Palm Beach Veterans Affairs Medical Center, says that has changed.
"This new Act allows us to vaccinate all veterans of all eras of all services, regardless of when they served, how they served and what they've done."
He says reservists are eligible, as well as members of the Coast Guard. And it's open to those of all ages, along with their spouses and/or caregivers.
"Initially, not all veterans are eligible for healthcare through the VA. So, what this law does is it lifts all restrictions, so we don't have to have that terrible conversation with a veteran who may have served and was ineligible for whatever reason."
The Act was signed into law by the president last month and is in effect for veterans nationwide.
West Palm Beach Democrat U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel was among the members of Congress who pushed for this bipartisan legislation.
"If you have been willing to sacrifice yourself for this country, you should not have to play the lottery to get a vaccine."
Shots are being distributed by appointment or walk-in at VA clinics.
Bryan says veterans and their spouses must show I.D. Caregivers don't have to be registered in the VA system to get their shots.
The West Palm Beach VA Medical Center is hosting a one-day vaccine clinic at Indian River State College in Vero Beach on Wednesday, where the Moderna vaccine will be dispense from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until supplies run out.
Out of an abundance of caution, the West Palm Beach VA has temporarily paused administration of the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine, based on CDC and FDA recommendations..
Bryan says there is plenty of the coronavirus vaccine available at the permanent clinic, on the campus of the West Palm Beach VA.
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