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Second chance for veterans to get vaccinated at the VA Monday

The second chance for senior veterans to get their COVID-19 vaccination shot will be held at the VA until 4 p.m. Monday.

Due to a tremendous turnout over the weekend, organizers plan to do things a little differently to better expedite the process and make sure everyone who wants the vaccine can receive it.

More than 900 veterans in Oakland got the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine this past weekend. Organizers are expecting just as many Monday, during the walk-in clinic. On Saturday some veterans say they waited in line upward of four hours.

So VA officials are splitting the alphabet in half to avoid congestion and delays.

Last names starting A through M can get their shot between 8 a.m. and noon, while N-Z can roll up their sleeves for their turn from noon to 4 p.m. Only veterans 75 and older are eligible. And they must be enrolled in VA Health Care.

VA officials tell WPXI their primary focus is protecting the safety and well-being of our most vulnerable population.

“We learned from it,” Donald Koenig, VA Pittsburgh healthcare system director said. “Made the adjustments to make it go more smoothly. But it was a wonderful sentiment on the veterans saying, ‘yes I’ll come wait however long it takes. I want to get my shot.’”

The second dose should be given out in 3 weeks.