James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital & Clinics opens vaccines to all Veterans, adds Janssen COVID-19 vaccine to operations

Beginning today, James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital & Clinics (JAHVH) will begin offering COVID-19 vaccine to all Veterans who are patients of the JAHVH system of care, regardless of age or medical condition.

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Vaccines are free and will be available by appointment only, as supply allows, at the main hospital and several clinics throughout Hillsborough, Hernando, Pasco, Polk and Citrus counties. Veterans can get the latest information on Tampa VA’s COVID-19 Vaccine website.

The facility will also incorporate the Janssen vaccine into its ongoing vaccination efforts, following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Emergency Use Authorization for this vaccine Feb. 27.

“James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital & Clinics is eager to add a third highly effective vaccine to our already robust vaccination operations,” said David VanMeter, interim director. “This one-dose vaccine strengthens our ability to reach Veterans in rural areas, for example, and will help us achieve our ultimate goal of offering COVID-19 vaccination to all Veterans and employees who want to be vaccinated.”

In clinical trials, the Janssen vaccine showed an efficacy of 66% against moderate to severe/critical COVID-19 disease occurring at least 28 days after vaccination — and demonstrated greater than 85% efficacy in preventing severe/critical COVID-19 disease occurring at least 28 days after vaccination.

As of March 5, JAHVH provided both doses of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to more than 50,000 Veterans, employees and federal partners – leading VA medical centers for vaccine distribution.

Tampa VA will reach out to Veterans to schedule an appointment at one of its vaccination sites. Patients may also notify their primary care team of their interest in receiving the vaccine.

VA policy stipulates that Veterans are required to enroll with VA in order to receive health care. However, to receive care in VA, enrollees must meet certain eligibility requirements under current law, which may include income limits. Veterans may check their eligibility and enrollment status by visiting https://www.tampa.va.gov/patients/eligibility.asp.


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