On Saturday, the Houston VA Veterans Vaccine Clinic at Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center had veterans in line hours before 8:00 p.m.
Vaccinations could not come soon enough for some veterans, including John Hamilton, who isolated himself to avoid contracting the virus.
“It’s been almost a year, I’ve been in my apartment,” Hamilton said. “(I was) just walking the dog more than anything else.”
According to the VA, the weekend walk-in clinic is exclusively for veterans age 75 and older and to get the vaccine here, they must be enrolled to receive care at Houston VAMC or one of the community outpatient clinics.
“Those who want to be vaccinated must bring identification, wear a mask to enter the unit, maintain social distance and not be ill, including showing symptoms of COVID-19, such as cough or fever,” he wrote. VA in a post on Facebook.
The VA also noted that veterans must be available for a follow-up meeting for the second dose of vaccine in about three weeks.
Saturday’s clinic was at least the second VA event. Last weekend’s clinic was so popular that administrators decided to continue this weekend. VA has been vaccinated during the week on schedule and has given up to 10,000 injections so far.
No appointments were required for Saturday’s clinic, which would remain open until vaccination limits are reached.
The VA in Houston was one of the first in the country to receive the COVID-19 vaccine because the facility has a freezer on site, officials said. Extreme cold storage is required for the vaccine, which should be kept 94 degrees below zero before administration.
Veterans can also call 713-794-8985 to make an appointment to get a vaccine during the week, according to VA.
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center is located on the first floor of the 2002 Holcombe Boulevard Medical Center.
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