CLEVELAND — More Northeast Ohio Veterans can get the COVID-19 vaccine starting Saturday.
Thanks to VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, nearly 4,000 Veterans age 65 and older will receive their first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine this weekend.
On Saturday and Sunday, four VA sites will be supplying the vaccine for Veterans with scheduled appointments.
The Cleveland VA Medical Center and Akron, Youngstown and Mansfield VA Clinics are the sites for this weekend's vaccine distribution.
"Vaccines will be given by appointment only. The distribution schedule and locations are based on vaccine availability and the current priority group."
"This weekend’s appointment-based clinic is a push to get the vaccine closer to our Veterans,” said CEO Jill K. Dietrich, JD, MBA, FACHE. “We cover a 21-county catchment area and we understand the travel barriers some of our patients may face.”
According to Veterans Affairs, as the vaccine availability increases, they will expand the appointment list and add more locations.
"Currently VA is scheduling Veterans to receive their vaccines at the Akron VA Clinic or the Cleveland VA Medical Center throughout the week. These two locations provide at least one option that’s within about an hour’s drive for most of VA’s patients."
Veterans will be contacted by VANEOHS and direct mailers will go out with scheduling instructions starting Monday, February 1st.
“We do not want Veterans to experience long wait times by doing walk-in clinics,” said Dietrich. “This approach also helps us to following ACIP guidelines regarding priority groups.”
Remember, the Pfizer vaccine requires a first and second dose with 17-21 days in between.