Albany VA hosting vaccination clinic

Event comes as new federal law expands eligibility

The Albany Stratton VA Medical Center is holding a walk-in vaccination clinic this week for veterans, their families, and a whole host of other populations it is now authorized to vaccinate under a new federal law.

The SAVE LIVES Act, which was signed by President Joe Biden last month, allows VA facilities to greatly expand who they vaccinate against coronavirus. In addition to veterans, they can now vaccinate veterans’ spouses, including widows and widowers, their caregivers, CHAMPVA recipients, and current and retired National

Guard, Reserve and Coast Guard members.

“Since the start of the pandemic the Stratton VA has been focused on vaccinating as many veterans and VA health care workers as possible,” said Darlene Delancey, executive director of the Stratton VA. “And we are excited to multiply our efforts through the new SAVE LIVES Act.”

The Stratton VA began administering vaccines to high-risk veterans back in December and expanded from there to vaccinate all Va-enrolled veterans. But VA and federal guidelines had restricted who else they were allowed to vaccinate.

To reach members of the newly expanded eligibility pool, the VA is hosting a weeklong vaccination clinic at its Albany headquarters at 113 Holland Ave. (Building 67) that began Monday and ends Friday. The clinics will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day.

Appointments are encouraged but not required, Stratton VA spokesman Peter Potter said.

“We do request they call for an appointment, even with the walk-ins,” he said. “This helps ensure that we have supply and ensure that we can maintain proper social distancing without having folks wait in a long line that could easily stretch outside.”

Appointments can be made by calling 518-6267228.

Delancey said the plan is to conduct additional vaccination events in the future, dependent on supply.