COVID-19 PCR testing in VA Eastern Colorado

Testing can help us stop the spread of COVID-19, including the highly contagious omicron variant, which can present symptoms indistinguishable from the common cold. PCR tests are more sensitive than rapid tests and recommended when experiencing symptoms. For a PCR test when symptomatic, the drive-through testing site outside Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center’s emergency entrance is available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday-Friday, and 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Enrolled Veterans may also visit the drive-through site in the PFC Floyd K. Lindstrom VA Clinic’s parking lot Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Veterans with immediate concerns about COVID-19 symptoms should seek urgent or emergency care.

COVID-19 rapid testing at home

COVID-19 rapid antigen testing may be performed on asymptomatic patients prior to medical procedures. FDA-authorized home antigen test kits may also be distributed to Veterans during upcoming visits to primary care, as a preventive measure. An at-home rapid antigen test can give you information about the risk of spreading the virus in case of symptoms or a high-risk exposure. A positive self-test result means you are likely to have an infection and should stay home or isolate. A negative result means the virus was not detected and you may not have an infection, but it does not rule out infection. Repeating the test within a few days, with at least 24 hours between tests, will increase the confidence that you are not infected. 

You can avoid counterfeit tests by verifying that your kits are FDA-cleared products and not on the FDA list of fraudulent COVID-19 products and companies.

COVID-19 vaccinations in VA Eastern Colorado

Following FDA authorizations and CDC recommendations, VA ECHCS offers COVID-19 vaccinations to every eligible Veteran, as well as Veteran spouses and caregivers. We encourage you to consider getting a COVID-19 vaccine to help protect you and your family and community.

While most of VA’s personnel are not pediatrically trained, we know many parents are trying to decide what is right for their child. Talk to a pediatrician or another trusted health care provider if you have questions about your child and the COVID-19 vaccine.

We offer walk-in COVID-19 vaccine clinics at Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center in Aurora and PFC Floyd K. Lindstrom VA Clinic in Colorado Springs. Walk-in appointments are accepted at those locations from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Walk-ins are also welcomed Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at PFC James Dunn VA Clinic in Pueblo.

Keep in mind, walk-ins are dependent on each day's supply. While Pfizer, Moderna and J&J vaccines are often available, scheduling ahead ensures a vaccine is available. Novavax is available by appointment only.

• Enrolled Veterans are Veterans of any age who are eligible and registered for VA health care and receiving their care at VA ECHCS. Enrolled Veterans can request a COVID-19 vaccine appointment by sending a secure message to their provider via My HealtheVet, or requesting an appointment during their next visit. They can also schedule through the 24/7 call center at 888-336-8262 or the VA Health Chat app, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday. If you get a COVID-19 vaccination outside of VA, update your health care team with your latest vaccination status.
• Non enrolled Veterans may also request an appointment by phone at 888-336-8262. Shorter call center wait times may be experienced before 8 a.m. and after 6 p.m. To avoid delays at walk-in sites in Aurora and Colorado Springs, non enrolled Veterans, spouses and caregivers who’ve never received a COVID-19 vaccine from VA should first register online for a COVID-19 vaccine. Find out how to apply for VA health care benefits.

VA ECHCS offers ride-sharing services at no cost for COVID-19 vaccinations. To book a ride for your appointment, call 1-855-205-7325.

Your safe care is our mission. We want you to know that we have safety measures in place to protect you, other Veterans and our staff. Everyone who enters our facilities must wear a mask that covers their mouth and nose and complete COVID-19 symptom screening.

COVID-19 primary, additional, booster doses

VA ECHCS follows FDA authorizations and CDC recommendations for COVID-19 vaccinations. Staying up to date with the recommended vaccinations will give you the best protection from COVID-19. When requesting additional or booster doses, be sure to bring your CDC vaccination card. 

• A primary series is an initial vaccination against COVID-19, typically two doses at least 3-4 weeks apart. For a primary series vaccination, we offer all Veterans, spouses and adult caregivers the monovalent Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines and Novavax protein subunit vaccine. CDC recommends the same vaccine product for all doses in a primary series.
• An additional dose is for people who may not have had a strong enough immune response from a primary series. We offer additional doses to people who have moderate to severe immunocompromise. This includes those with organ transplants and those diagnosed with conditions that are considered to have a similar level of immunocompromise. Data shows they are more at risk and may benefit from additional doses to make sure they have enough protection against COVID-19.
• A booster dose is for people whose immune response may have weakened over time. We offer the new bivalent boosters, Pfizer and Moderna vaccine products based on the original COVID-19 strain and the omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants. These updated boosters are available to all Veterans, spouses and adult caregivers who completed a primary series or monovalent booster at least two months ago. CDC's recommendations allow a mix-and-match dosing for booster shots but monovalent mRNA vaccines are no longer authorized for boosters. Boosters are especially important if you are older or have multiple or severe medical conditions.