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