Flu and COVID

Flu vaccinations are available for all veterans during their regularly scheduled appointments at all VA Puget Sound facilities. COVID-19 Bivalent boosters can be scheduled for the Seattle campus through primary care and available at the American Lake campus during regularly scheduled primary & specialty clinic appointments. For those receiving care at one of our Community Clinics, please contact your local clinic for their most updated information.

Monkeypox

Monkeypox vaccines are still available on an outpatient basis, please contact your primary care provider for more information.

Self-Screening

COVID-19 self-screening at our facilities is required for Veterans and visitors.  You have three ways to complete the screening:

1. Text ‘SCREEN’ to 53079 to receive a link to https://www.va.gov/covid19screen

2. Scan the QR code to go to https://www.va.gov/covid19screen

3. Ask yourself the questions below:

Do you have or have you experienced any of the following  COVID-19 symptoms today or in the
past 24 hours?

• Fever or chills
• Cough or Sore throat
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Loss of taste or smell
• Muscle aches or body aches
• Runny nose or congestion
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea

In the last 14 days, have you tested positive for COVID-19 or been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19?

If you answered YES to any of these questions or are not sure, please consider returning home and notifying your care team or let a VA staff member know right away on check-in. If you feel unwell or were on your way to the Emergency Department, please continue to the Emergency Department.

If you answered NO to all questions, please proceed.

Self-screening available except in specialized care areas

Masks

Medical grade masks are required while visiting all VA care sites for anyone 2-years-old or older. This is consistent with federal and state policies for health care facilities as well as CDC guidelines. If you don’t have one, we will provide you with one.

Visitation and screening policy

We understand COVID-19 restrictions surrounding children visiting our care sites has been difficult. We appreciate your continued patience and understanding of our need to follow CDC and VA guidelines to ensure the safety of our Veterans, visitors and staff.

We are happy to share our updated VA Puget Sound Health Care System’s visitation for children (under 18-years-old) and COVID-19 screening policies, which vary based on the active Health Protection Level at the care site you are visiting.

The Health Protection Level for each of our care sites can be found on our website at https://www.va.gov/puget-sound-health-care/operating-status/.

Just follow the visitation and screening policy based on the Health Protection Level indicated at the care site you are visiting.

• Expectations for visiting children regardless of Health Protection Level:
  • All adult caregivers will confirm screening responses for children accompanying them at campus and clinic entrances.
  • Medical grade masks must be worn for anyone 2-years-old or older
  • Children must be in the direct supervision and physically near their accompanying adult while in any VA facility.
  • It is not permitted for staff to care for children of adult patients.

• Health Protection Level: HIGH
  • Children
    • Outpatient appointments and visits to laboratory:
      • One child permitted.
      • Children will follow the guidelines outlined above.
    • Pharmacy and other administrative visits:
      • Children not permitted.
    • Inpatient:
      • Children not permitted.

• Health Protection Level: MEDIUM
  • Children:
    • Outpatient appointments and visits to laboratory:
      • Children permitted.
    • Pharmacy and other administrative visits:
      • Children permitted.
    • Inpatient:
      • Children are not permitted.

• Health Protection Level: LOW
  • Children:
    • Outpatient appointments and visits to laboratory:
      • Children permitted.
    • Pharmacy and other administrative visits:
      • Children permitted.
    • Inpatient visitation:
      • Children not permitted.   

Note: Situations outside of these guidelines will be reviewed at the time of visit by local clinical leadership, upon screening. If outside general business hours (Monday – Friday), review and approval is determined by the care team on site.