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COVID-19 vaccines and testing

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Info on COVID-19 Vaccines and Testing
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Those who are eligible to receive their COVID-19 Vaccine or Boosters are encouraged to call 352-548-6000 ext. 103755 to schedule an appointment. No appointment needed clinics are also available. Please make sure to bring your CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card with you. Testing is also available via appointment.

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COVID-19 Vaccines and Booster

North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System is offering the updated COVID-19 booster vaccines, also called bivalent vaccines, with the availability of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. Given the fast spread of the Omicron variant, getting an updated booster as soon as you are eligible is critical. COVID-19 vaccines are provided at no cost. 

(At this time, the NF/SGVHS is not administering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to adolescents under the age of 18. Caregivers of Veterans who are under the age of 18 are encouraged to visit the CDC COVID-19 vaccine locator page https://www.vaccines.gov/ to locate a vaccination site.)

Appointments are preferred. You can call us at 1-800-324-8387, ext. 103755 to schedule an appointment for your updated booster shot. Our staff will help you find a location and time that’s convenient for you. 

 If you choose, you can also receive your booster shot at no cost to you outside of VA. You can locate a vaccine site at Vaccines.gov - Search for COVID-19 vaccine locations. Make sure to take your Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card when you go!

    Please see COVID-19 Vaccine and Booster Schedule below for your VA clinic's COVID-19 booster shot administration hours of operation and available vaccines at each clinic.

    COVID-19 Vaccine and Booster Schedule - Updated September 27, 2022 (PDF)

    Updated Booster Shot Eligibility

    The CDC recently issued recommendations for getting an updated COVID-19 booster. The following people should get a booster:

    • Individuals 18 years and older who completed primary series vaccination with two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna or Novavax COVID-19 vaccine at least 2 months ago, or with a Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at least 2 months ago. 
    • People who have received one or two prior booster doses are also eligible 2 months after their most recent dose. These individuals can get either a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 updated booster.

    If you received your updated booster outside of the VA, we encourage you to share this information with your VA health care team so it can be documented in your health record. You can show your health care team your CDC card, a picture of your CDC card, or medical documentation of your COVID-19 booster administration.

    COVID-19 Operational Plan, Safety Precautions & Visitation

    North Florida/ South Georgia Veterans Health System (NF/SGVHS) continues to get back to the business of serving Veterans. As more Veterans, family members, and caregivers receive the COIVD-19 vaccines- and communities across the country experience decreasing in COVID-19 cases- a new normal is emerging for our health system that includes blending in-person and telehealth services.

    Safety is ingrained in our culture and the foundation of everything we do. We have updated our safety measures to guarantee that Veterans have the best experience while visiting one of our health facilities while continue to ensure we mitigate risk of COVID-19 in our local communities.

    Effective immediately the following changes have been made to our safety precautions:

    1. All clinical services (Primary Care, Mental Health, and Specialty Care) are at 100% capacity for face-to-face appointments. Virtual/Connected Care options are available as clinically appropriate and/or Veteran’s preference.

    2. Visitation:
           -COVID/Isolation Patients: Visitation restricted.       

           -Acute/Critical Care Visitation for Non-COVID Patients: Care team approved visitors are welcomed

           -Community Living Center (CLC) Visitation: Gainesville and Lake City CLCs are permitted to one visitor at a time on designated days by appointment only. CLC visitors will need to contact staff of the unit for schedule. Visitors must have a negative antigen rapid test prior to the scheduled visit. The test will be conducted on-site at the CLC. 

           -End of Life Visitation: Care team approved visitors are welcomed

           -Visitors for Outpatient Appointments: Care team approved visitors are welcomed

    3. Volunteers that are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are welcomed back into NF/SGVHS operations. Learn how to become a volunteer here.

    Our safety measures for physical distancing and appropriate personal protective attire- including face mask for inside areas- will remain in place at all of our facilities as services continue to expand. 

    COVID-19 Testing | Appointment required

    North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System offers COVID-19 testing to Veterans enrolled in VA health care. Appointments are required. Veterans can CALL 352-548-6000 ext. 103755 to schedule an appointment.

    ‘At home’ testing kits can also be obtained from www.COVIDtests.gov