COVID-19 Vaccine Update
COVID-19 Vaccine Update: The Montana VA Health Care System (MTVAHCS) is excited to announce that the first shipment of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines arrived at our Fort Harrison VA Medical Center this morning!
The vaccine will be distributed to enrolled Veterans based on a risk stratification table. First, MTVAHCS frontline staff and our Community Living Center residents and staff will be vaccinated. Veterans who are considered highly vulnerable will be the next to receive the vaccine.
As you are identified by clinical staff to be within each risk level to receive the Moderna vaccine, a healthcare team member will contact you to schedule a vaccine appointment. MTVAHCS encourages all Veterans to receive a COVID-19 vaccination (the vaccine is not mandatory). We understand that you may have questions about a new vaccine. Please do not hesitate to send your healthcare team a secure message through MyHealtheVet or call 844-819-0833 to set up a time to discuss the COVID-19 vaccine.
The Moderna vaccine will be administered in two separate doses, approximately one month apart. Recipients may experience a mild reaction to the first dose (injection site soreness, muscle aches, etc.) and possibly a greater reaction to the second dose (chills, nausea, headaches, fever, fatigue, etc.).
To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine, reference these COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs.
Veteran News
BREAKING: Takano, Roe, Tester, Moran Statement on House Passage of Groundbreaking Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Bill, Congressional Veterans’ Affairs leaders’ top legislative priority—connecting veterans with life-saving mental health care—heads to President’s desk
https://veterans.house.gov/news/press-releases/breaking-takano-roe-tester-moran-statement-on-house-passage-of-groundbreaking-commander-john-scott-hannon-veterans-mental-health-and-suicide-prevention-bill
Tester Spearheads Senate Call to Ensure his Landmark Agent Orange Exposure Bill is Included in Final Annual Defense Bill
https://www.veterans.senate.gov/newsroom/minority-news/tester-spearheads-senate-call-to-ensure-his-landmark-agent-orange-exposure-bill-is-included-in-final-annual-defense-bill-
TAKE ACTION: Please ask your member of Congress to support Tester/Harder amendment in the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act
https://vva.org/what-we-do/veterans-advocacy/legislative-action-center/
Senate VA Committee Advances Two Bills to Expand Veteran Benefits
https://www.veterans.senate.gov/newsroom/news/senate-va-committee-advances-two-bills-to-expand-veteran-benefits
Lawmakers question VA approach on burn pits, advance bill to help military toxic exposure victims
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2020/09/23/lawmakers-question-va-approach-on-burn-pits-advance-bill-to-help-military-toxic-exposure-victims/
VA notifies Veterans of compromised personal information https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=5519
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