VA Long Beach Begins Vaccine Distribution

The VA Healthcare System in Long Beach has begun COVID-19 vaccination with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine starting Dec. 22, following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Emergency Use Authorization.

“VA Long Beach is eager to aggressively begin vaccinating our in-patient veterans and staff using the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. With one of the largest Spinal Cord Injury Centers within the VA system, and over 60-bed Community Living Center, it is critical to begin as soon as possible,” said Richard Beam, director of public and community services.

“Receiving the vaccine is like having hope delivered. As vaccine supplies increase, our ultimate goal is to offer COVID-19 vaccination to all veterans and employees who want to be vaccinated,” he said.

VA Long Beach Healthcare System is one of 113 VA Medical Centers across the country to receive the first limited supply of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Sites were identified based on need for the vaccine according to CDC’s 1A prioritization and capacity to store the vaccine at -20◦C.

The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine was 94 percent effective in clinical trials in preventing COVID-19 disease. The vaccine is administered in two doses, 28 days apart. The side effects appear similar to those of other vaccines and are short-lived.

Thirty-seven medical centers began offering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to health care personnel and veterans Dec. 14. Fifteen additional VA facilities will receive an allocation of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine the week of Dec. 21.

Even after receiving COVID-19 vaccination, employees and Veterans should continue wearing face coverings, practicing physical distancing and washing hands often. As vaccines become available for more groups of Veterans, VA care teams will reach out to eligible veterans to schedule vaccinations. There is no need to preregister or come to a facility to sign up.

Veterans can get up-to-date information on VA’s COVID-19 vaccine webpage, which launched on Dec. 11, 2020 and sign up to receive regular updates on the vaccine on the VA’s Stay Informed page.