Puget Sound VA Clinics Offering COVID-19 Vaccine To All Veterans

WASHINGTON — All veterans are now eligible to receive a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine from the VA Puget Sound Health Care System.

Veterans Affairs announced the change Tuesday, saying that its clinics would now administer the vaccine to all veterans, regardless of age. Previously vaccines were limited to residents 65 and older.

However, the VA says they will continue to prioritize high risk veterans who are older or have underlying health issues, and have been reaching out to those veterans when possible.

That may delay appointments for healthier veterans, as the VA's website explains:

"It is important to understand that we need to vaccinate the most vulnerable Veterans first, which means even though we are now able to offer all eligible Veterans the vaccines, if you are healthy and younger, you may be scheduled further out."

Veterans can call the VA at 206-716-5716 to schedule a vaccine appointment. Anyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms like headache, loss of smell or taste, and nausea should contact VA Puget Sound through My HealtheVet before visiting.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Puget Sound has already inoculated thousands of veterans from across the region, administering 16,011 first doses and fully vaccinating 6,836 veterans.