Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

VA team makes 2nd vaccine trip to cover veterans

- By Eplunus Colvin

The Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System made a second trip to vaccinate veterans in their Pine Bluff Community Based Outpatient Clinic this week.

Veterans age 75 and older were called by the covid-19 vaccinatio­n team and scheduled for appointmen­ts to receive the first dose. Those veterans fall in the Phase 1-B group under the state schedule for administer­ing the vaccinatio­ns.

“We are calling and scheduling area veterans 75 and over, those on dialysis, undergoing chemothera­py, have spinal cord injuries, have had a transplant, and who are homeless,” said Chris Durney, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System public affairs officer.

VA nurse Shasta Dockery administer­ed the covid-19 vaccinatio­n to approximat­ely 20 veterans at the system’s Pine Bluff Community Based Outpatient Clinic located at 2906 Market

St. Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System is providing the Moderna covid-19 vaccine. The Moderna vaccine is easier

The VA is prioritizi­ng inoculatio­ns for veterans in accordance with the state’s vaccinatio­n phases. Durney said they are encouragin­g the vaccinatio­n of all of their veterans and administer­ing them throughout the state of Arkansas based on availabili­ty.

for health care profession­als to handle because it does not have to be kept at ultra-low temperatur­es as is required with the Pfizer vaccine.

WWII Veterans Reuben Camp and Murel Norton arrived at the clinic during their appointmen­t time to receive their first dose, which has to be repeated in 28 days.

The VA is prioritizi­ng inoculatio­ns for veterans in accordance with the state’s vaccinatio­n phases. Durney said officials are encouragin­g the vaccinatio­n of all their veterans and are administer­ing them throughout the state of Arkansas based on availabili­ty.

A limited amount of weekly doses are provided, and according to Durney, health officials have gone through those supplies pretty quickly.

“We will expand our dose availabili­ty with increased shipments of the vaccine,” he said.

The vaccinatio­n clinic at Pine Bluff is set to run every Wednesday from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

 ??  ?? Veterans Affairs nurse Shasta Dockery gives World War II veteran Reuben Camp a covid-19 vaccinatio­n at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System’s Pine Bluff clinic. (Special to The Commercial/Jeff Bowen)
Veterans Affairs nurse Shasta Dockery gives World War II veteran Reuben Camp a covid-19 vaccinatio­n at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System’s Pine Bluff clinic. (Special to The Commercial/Jeff Bowen)
 ?? (Special to The Commercial/Jeff Bowen) ?? Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System is providing the Moderna covid-19 vaccine to enrolled veterans ages 75 and older.
(Special to The Commercial/Jeff Bowen) Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System is providing the Moderna covid-19 vaccine to enrolled veterans ages 75 and older.

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