COVID Vaccine
FOR VETERANS ENROLLED IN VA HEALTH CARE, the VA is now offering vaccines to these 2 groups:
- Veterans living in our long-term care facilities, and
- VA health care personnel. Vaccinating VA health care personnel helps the VA continue providing care for Veterans.
After these first 2 groups, the VA will begin to offer vaccines to more Veterans who are at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
If you’re eligible to get a vaccine, your VA health care team will contact you. You don’t need to reserve a vaccine, or come to a VA facility to request or receive a vaccine until we contact you. Our staff will only provide vaccines to Veterans who are currently eligible for one based on VA and CDC risk criteria. When more vaccines become available, the VA plans to offer a free COVID-19 vaccine to all Veterans receiving VA health care who want one.
Your team will contact you when a vaccine is available to you. If you decide to get the vaccine, your team will help you schedule your appointments. If you’re not currently receiving health care through VA, you can apply now.
FOR ALL WASHINGTONIANS:
For veterans not eligible for DOD or VA Vaccines, you can visit the My Phase Finder at the WA State Department of Health to learn when and where you can get a COVID-19 vaccine. WA State is currently in Phase 1b-Tier 1 of Vaccine Distribution. This means the vaccine is available to anyone over age 65, and all people over 50 who also live in a multigenerational household. This is in addition to populations eligible during phase 1A including health care workers at high risk for COVID-19 infection, first responders, people who live or work in long-term care facilities, and all other workers in health settings who are at risk of COVID-19.
Learn more about who gets the vaccine and when.
Vaccine Phase Finder Vaccine Locations
FOR MILITARY RETIREES AND THEIR FAMILIES:
The Department of Defense (DoD), in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services, has launched a program to provide COVID-19 vaccines. The first supply of the vaccine is limited. The first vaccines will be given in phases. The first phases will be for:
- Individuals providing direct medical care
- Individuals maintaining essential installation functions
- Deploying forces
- Individuals at the highest risk for developing severe illness from COVID-19
- Adults age 75 and older
Vaccines will be offered to other TRICARE beneficiaries as more vaccines are available and after priority individuals have been vaccinated. Learn more about the first phases of DoD COVID-19 vaccine distribution.
WHY SHOULD I GET THE VACCINE?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a COVID-19 vaccine is an important tool in stopping the pandemic. It may be an effective way to lower your risk of contracting COVID-19. And it may help keep you from getting seriously ill if you do catch the virus. Getting vaccinated also protects the health of the people around you—especially those who are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.