Updated COVID-19 booster vaccines now available: Key points
By Aubrey McQueen, Public Affairs Specialist
The Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center is offering updated COVID-19 booster vaccines and primary series COVID-19 vaccines to Veterans, employees, spouses, and caregivers Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the 1st floor auditorium, no appointment necessary.
- Please note the clinic will not be open on federal holidays.
- COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are also available during the Saturday flu clinic on Oct. 8, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; the Tuesday clinic on Oct. 18, at 4 to 6 p.m.; and the Thursday clinic on Oct. 27 from 4 to 6 p.m.
- Veterans who would like to receive a booster at a Community-Based Outpatient Clinic should contact the CBOC to schedule an appointment.
- All persons coming in for a booster shot should bring their CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Card with them.
- COVID-19 vaccines are provided at no cost. VA also provides free COVID-19 testing to eligible Veterans.
- The updated booster protects against both the original virus that causes COVID-19 as well as the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants.
- Those who have completed a primary series, including those who have received booster doses, and whose last shot was at least 2 months ago are eligible for the updated booster.
- It is safe to get both a flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine at the same time.
- Receiving an updated booster will ensure that you are up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. Staying up to date ensures that you have protection against severe illness and death from COVID-19.
- If you haven’t yet had your primary series, you should do it now.
- After you have completed a primary series, you will be eligible for an updated booster 2 months after your last dose.
- A primary series consists of 2 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, 2 doses of Moderna vaccine, 2 doses of Novavax vaccine, or 1 dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.
- For additional questions about COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, Veterans should contact their primary care provider.