Sheridan VA begins limited COVID-19 vaccinations

The Sheridan VA Health Care System received an initial shipment of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine Dec. 22, and began offering vaccinations today to high-risk Veterans living in the medical center’s long-term care facility.

“Our pharmacy team had been working with VA regional and national leadership to ensure we’d be ready when the vaccination came,” Pam Crowell, health care system director said. “Even though they were ready and standing by for the Moderna vaccine, that didn’t stop a Christmas-like atmosphere when the shipment arrived. While this is only the initial shipment, we look forward to the future ones which will allow us to vaccinate all enrolled Veterans who are interested in receiving it.”

In line with U.S. Center for Disease Control recommendations, Sheridan VA personnel and community living centers residents are the first to be offered the vaccination. As vaccine supplies become available, VA care teams will contact enrolled Veterans to offer the vaccinations. There is no need to preregister or come to a facility to sign up.

“We are finally on the cusp of changing the trajectory of the whole pandemic with the arrival of the vaccines,” Andrea Henderson, nurse executive for the system said.

The Sheridan VA Health Care System is one of 113 VA sites across the country to receive the first wave of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Sites were identified based on need for the vaccine according to the CDC’s 1A prioritization and capacity to store the vaccine at -20◦C. The vaccine is administered in two doses, 28 days apart. Even after receiving the COVID-19 vaccination Sheridan VAHCS would like to remind everyone that you should continue to wear face coverings, practicing physical distancing and wash hands often.

For additional information on the Department of Veteran Affairs COVID 19 vaccinations you can visit www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/.