Press release from the Charles George VA Medical Center:
The Western North Carolina VA Health Care System has begun providing COVID-19 vaccines to all Veterans, their spouses and caregivers participating in the VA’s Program of General Caregiver Support Services.All Veterans can call 828-298-7911, ext. 4436 to set up an appointment for shot clinics at Charles George VA Medical Center on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Covered individuals can receive a vaccine from VA due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency. Under the Save Lives Act, covered individuals are:
- Veterans who are not eligible to enroll in the VA health care system.
- Specified Veterans who are eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care abroad.
- family caregivers approved as providers of personal care services for Veterans under the VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers.
- caregivers of Veterans participating in the VA’s Program of General Caregiver Support Services; and
- caregivers of Veterans participating in the VA’s Medical Foster Home Program, Bowel and Bladder Program, Home Based Primary Care Program, or Veteran Directed Care Program.
- Civilian Health and Medical Programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs recipients.
- Veteran spouses.
During this phase of limited vaccine supply, we expect interest to far exceed vaccine availability. That’s why we continue to follow CDC guidelines for vaccine administration to ensure those at greatest risk for severe illness are offered the vaccine as it becomes available.The WNC VA Health Care System must prioritize the vaccination of:(1) Veterans enrolled in the VA health care system,(2) Veterans who fail to enroll but receive hospital care and medical services for specified disabilities in their first 12 months of separation from service, and(3) caregivers accompanying such prioritized Veterans. Additionally, vaccines furnished abroad are authorized to be furnished in a geographic location other than a state regardless of whether vaccines are needed for the treatment of Veterans with a service-connected disability. That includes those participating in a VA rehabilitation program.Currently, there are multiple appointment slots available at Charles George VA Medical Center. Veterans can take advantage of these openings by calling 828-298-7911, ext. 4436 for an appointment. We are currently vaccinating Veterans on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Our goal is to provide vaccines to every Veteran enrolled in the WNCVAHCS who wants one.As of March 26, the Health Care System has administered 11,805 first doses and 7,416 second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to Veterans and Staff.
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.