Veteran Health Indiana

COVID-19 Vaccines

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized three COVID-19 vaccines. VA is following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance to pause in providing the Janssen vaccine at this time. This pause is due to a concern about possible rare side effects. Your safety is our top priority. For more information, go to the CDC website. Read the CDC and FDA statement on the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine. If you have a vaccine appointment scheduled, your VA health facility will work with you to determine what to do next.

Congress has passed a new law that allows us to offer COVID-19 vaccines to more people. VA is now able to offer vaccine to the following groups who are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine at VA when their local VA facilities have enough vaccine:

• Veterans
• Spouse of a Veteran
• Caregivers of a Veteran
• Recipients of Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) benefits

The best way to stay informed is to sign up to tell us you'd like to get a COVID-19 vaccine at VA. Your local VA facility will then contact you when they have a vaccine for you.

For your continued health and safety during this pandemic, please don't come to a VA health facility to request a COVID-19 vaccine without an appointment unless you are coming to a specific scheduled event such as a walk-in clinic or drive-through clinic that does not require an appointment.

Note: Your employer, pharmacy, or local public health officials may offer you a COVID-19 vaccine. We encourage you to take the first opportunity you have to get a vaccine at the most convenient location for you.

*UPDATE* April 13: Veteran Health Indiana is following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance to pause in providing the Janssen vaccine at this time. This pause is due to a concern about possible rare side effects. Your safety is our top priority.

*UPDATE* March 31: Veteran Health Indiana is now offering COVID-19 vaccinations to all Veterans, spouses, caregivers, and CHAMPVA beneficiaries under the SAVE LIVES Act. The new law removes some of the legal limits on the medical care VA can provide to Veterans, based on health care eligibility and priority groups.

Veterans and eligible individuals under the SAVE LIVES Act, may call 317-988-4899, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., to schedule their vaccine appointment at the following locations: Indianapolis VA Medical Center VA Clinics at Bloomington, Indy West, Martinsville, Shelbyville, Terre Haute, Wakeman, and West Lafayette.

In addition, Veteran Health Indiana and their community partner the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis has teamed up to provide the single-dose Janssen vaccine to Veterans and eligible individuals under the SAVE LIVES Act for a one-day event on Saturday, April 10, 2021, at the Benjamin Harrison YMCA, 5736 Lee Road, Indianapolis, 46216. Individuals must schedule an appointment by calling 317-988-4899.

"It is an honor to be part of this historical outreach in providing the COVID-19 vaccine to all Veterans, their spouses, caregivers, and CHAMPVA beneficiaries.” said Director Laura Ruzick. “We encourage all eligible individuals to consider getting the vaccine as soon as possible and contact us if they would like to schedule an appointment.

To enroll in VA health care, new patients should contact the Indianapolis VA Medical Center’s Health Benefits Unit at 317-988-4310 or enroll on-line at https://www.va.gov/health-care/

Visit VA’s website link at www.va.gov/health/ or www.indianapolis.va.gov for COVID-19 and VA health care resources.