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COVID-19 vaccines and testing

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Our goal is to maximize COVID-19 vaccination of Veterans, spouses and caregivers, as well as VA employees and volunteers.
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Our goal is to maximize COVID-19 vaccination of Veterans, spouses and caregivers, as well as VA employees and volunteers. VA Boston now offers COVID-19 testing on demand for Veterans who are enrolled in VA health care, as well.
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COVID-19 and flu vaccination

VA Boston Healthcare System weekday, walk-in, flu and COVID-19 vaccination clinics for Veterans as of Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, at the Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury and Brockton campuses. 

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Brockton Campus Jamaica Plain Campus West Roxbury Campus
Thursdays Wednesdays Fridays
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Building 22, Conference Room B Primary Care Conference Room Building 1, Primary Care

* Vaccine clinics are closed during all federal holidays.

  • Walk-in vaccination clinics are first come, first served, and an appropriate vaccine will be offered based on clinical need and vaccine inventory.

  • COVID-19 boosters are available for Veterans, spouses, caregivers and CHAMPVA recipients.

  • Flu shots are only available for Veterans. Clinics offer both regular flu vaccine and the adjuvanted formulation -- adjuvanted flu vaccine is recommended for all adults 65 and older.

  • You must have eligibility established before getting your shot.

  • Vaccines, including boosters, can help prevent severe illness and hospitalization.

  • Updated boosters, also known as bivalent boosters, target the most recent Omicron subvariants, in addition to the original COVID-19 viruses.

  • If you have a weakened immune system, you may be at increased risk of severe COVID-19 illness and hospitalization, and your immune response to COVID-19 vaccination may not be as strong as in people who are not immunocompromised.

  • CDC’s COVID-19 booster tool, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fvaccines%2Fbooster-shot.html, can help you determine when you can get boosters to stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines.

  • If you have previously received COVID-19 vaccination and/or boosters, please bring your shot card for verification and updating.

  • Screening, approved masks and physical distancing are still required at our facilities.

If you have additional questions about getting an additional dose / booster of COVID-19 vaccine, please ask your primary care provider. VA Boston HCS patients can call 800-865-3384 and press 3, or message their primary care team through MyHealtheVet.

You may also be able to get your vaccination from a VA Community Care Network (CCN) provider, including Costco, CVS, Kroger, Safeway, Walmart, Wegmans and more...

Click here for a handout on getting your COVID-19 shot from a VA CCN provider. (PDF)

COVID-19 testing

There is no medical evaluation or treatment provided by the testing clinics. If you have mild symptoms and are concerned about COVID-19 infection, we can provide a test with instructions for follow-up as needed. 

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Jamaica Plain Campus West Roxbury Campus Brockton Campus
Ambulatory Care Entrance lobby, across from room F1-04B Building 2, Entrance/Vestibule Building 22, Conference Room C
M-F, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. M-F, 6 a.m. – 2 p.m. M-F, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.

*Pease note that testing sites are closed during federal holidays.

Normally, test results will be available in 24-48 hours. We will contact you with the results. You can also find your results in your My HealtheVet account under Labs + Tests. If you have not been contacted with your results within 48 hours, please call the Clinical Contact Center at 800-865-3384. Please note that COVID-19 testing is currently only available for Veterans who are enrolled in VA health care. Spouses and caregivers are not eligible for COVID-19 testing from VA at this time.

It is common to experience the following symptoms during COVID-19 infection:

  • Cough
  • Fever and/or chills
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Loss of sense of taste and/or smell

If you are sick:

  • Stay home, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas.
  • Take care of yourself by resting at home and drinking non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic drinks.
  • If you are feeling ill AND wish to be evaluated urgently, please visit Urgent Care during normal business hours.
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Jamaica Plain Campus West Roxbury Campus Brockton Campus
Urgent Care Emergency Department Urgent Care
M-F, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 24/7 24/7

If you wish to be seen outside of Urgent Care hours, please go to the VA West Roxbury Emergency Department, VA Brockton Urgent Care, or a VA Community Care Network (CCN) urgent care clinic. Find a VA CCN urgent care clinic near you at https://www.va.gov/find-locations.

Warning Signs (call 911 or get seen in your local emergency/urgent care facility as soon as possible):

  • Trouble breathing
  • Pain or pressure in your chest that does not go away
  • Feeling confused
  • Unable to stay awake or to wake up
  • Having pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone

For questions, please call the Clinical Contact Center at 800-865-3384.

For those not enrolled in VA health care, Boston Public Health lists outside test providers at: https://www.boston.gov/government/cabinets/public-health-commission/covid-19-testing-sites