WEST PALM BEACH — The West Palm Beach VA Medical Center began COVID-19 vaccination Dec 22, following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Emergency Use Authorization.

“The West Palm Beach VA Medical Center is excited to offer the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to health care personnel, community living center residents and other congregate living units at our facility,” said Cory Price, director of the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center. “Receiving the vaccine at this time of the year offers us a renewed hope going into the new year. As vaccine supplies increase, our ultimate goal is to offer COVID-19 vaccination to all enrolled veterans and employees who want to be vaccinated.”

Thirty-seven medical centers began offering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to health care personnel and Veterans Dec 14. The West Palm Beach VA Medical Center was one the additional VA facilities to receive an allocation of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine the week of Dec. 21.

Even after receiving COVID-19 vaccination, employees and Veterans should continue wearing face coverings, practicing physical distancing and washing hands often.

As vaccines become available for more groups of veterans, VA care teams will reach out to eligible veterans to schedule vaccinations. There is no need to preregister or come to a facility to sign up.

Veterans can get up-to-date information on VA’s VA COVID-19 vaccine webpage, which launched on Dec. 11, 2020, and sign up to receive regular updates on the vaccine on the VA’s Stay Informed page. They may also contact their health care provider or call the VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center toll-free at 1-877-741-3400.