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COVID-19 vaccines and testing at VA Portland

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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the first COVID-19 vaccine. VA will have a limited amount of this vaccine to start.
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COVID-19 vaccines remain very effective in preventing severe disease, however, their protection against the virus may decrease over time, especially in people 65 and older.
- Vaccines remain the best measure to protect people from COVID-19, slow transmission, and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging. Please help by keeping current on your COVID vaccinations.
- Masks offer protection against all variants. Wear a mask when around other people outside of your household.
- Tests can tell you if you are currently infected with COVID-19. Talk to your VA Care Team about testing.
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COVID Testing

VA Portland does COVID testing by appointment ONLY.

We ONLY schedule COVID tests for Veterans who are…

  • clinically indicated by their Primary Care team
  • scheduled for medical procedures at VA facilities
  • scheduled for an admission

If you are a Veteran and have COVID-like symptoms or believe you have been directly exposed to a COVID-positive person, contact your Primary Care team by secure messaging (MyHealtheVet) or by calling 503-220-8262, option 2 to discuss your situation and request a COVID test.

Please, do not come to a VA facility for a COVID test without an appointment.  You must contact your Primary Care team first.

If you plan to go the Portland VA Health Care System’s Emergency Department with COVID-like symptoms please call the ED before arriving at 503-721-7803.


COVID-19 Vaccine Information

VA Portland is offering COVID Vaccine initial series until October 1, 2022, and bivalent booster shots to those two months from completion of primary series (1st and 2nd vaccine) or two months from most recent booster. 

Learn more about bivalent booster shots.

VA Portland and associated CBOCs are Pfizer vaccine sites. Veterans can receive the Pfizer booster regardless of which COVID 19 vaccine they originally received. Veterans may receive the appropriate vaccine dose during any Primary Care appointment, or in designated vaccination clinics. Vaccination capacity is limited. Veterans may also seek vaccination from community providers.

If you originally received Pfizer or Moderna – you may receive the bivalent booster at least 2 months after 2nd dose or your last booster dose. 

If you originally received Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) – may receive booster of the bivalent Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least 2 months after initial dose.


You can schedule, cancel or reschedule a vaccination appointment two ways:

COVID-19 & flu vaccine billing

Retail pharmacies and urgent care clinics that are part of VA’s Community Care Network (CCN) can provide eligible Veterans with a flu or COVID-19 vaccine that is reimbursed by VA.

Veterans and participating Community Care pharmacies - learn more.

For Veterans, use the link above to learn about...

  • Eligibility
  • Choosing a Pharmacy
  • What to do when you arrive at the community/non-VA pharmacy