COVID-19 Updates
Find all current and up-to-date information regarding South Texas Veterans Health Care System's actions to protect Veterans against COVID-19.
Latest updates: September 9, 2024
New guidance for 2024-2025 vaccines
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all adults get an updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine. Before you go to a VA health facility to get a COVID-19 vaccine, call to make sure the facility has the vaccine you want.
Guidance for adults who have had a COVID-19 vaccine before
Get 1 dose of a 2024-2025 vaccine (Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, or Novavax). If you’re age 65 or older but you’re not moderately to severely immunocompromised, CDC no longer recommends additional vaccine doses.
Guidance for adults who have never had a COVID-19 vaccine before
If you’ve never had a COVID-19 vaccine before, choose one of these options:
- Get 1 dose of the 2024-2025 Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, or
- Get 2 doses of the 2024-2025 Novavax COVID-19 vaccine at least 3 weeks apart
Guidance for adults with certain health conditions that weaken your immune system
If you have had a COVID-19 vaccine before, get 1 dose of the 2024-2025 Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, or Novavax vaccine. You may also be eligible to get additional doses of one of these vaccines. Ask your provider how many doses they recommend for you.
If you’ve never had a COVID-19 vaccine before, choose one of these options:
- Get 3 doses of the 2024-2025 Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, or
- Get 2 doses of the 2024-2025 Novavax vaccine
Should I get a COVID-19 vaccine if I've already had COVID-19?
Yes. Data from clinical trials show that the authorized COVID-19 vaccines are safe in people who’ve been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 in the past.
If you’re currently sick from COVID-19, you should wait until you’ve recovered and you’re finished with isolation to get a vaccine. Talk with your health care provider about when you should get a COVID-19 vaccine if you recently had COVID. Some people may consider delaying a COVID-19 vaccine for 3 months after COVID-19 infection.
Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines at VA.
Can I get a COVID-19 vaccine and a flu vaccine at the same time?
Yes. You can get a COVID-19 vaccine and a flu vaccine at the same time. Here’s what the CDC recommends:
- If you haven’t gotten your currently recommended doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you can.
- Try to get a flu vaccine by the end of October. A flu shot is an essential part of protecting your health and your family’s health every year.
Note: Only Veterans who are enrolled in VA health care can get flu shots at VA health facilities. Call before you come in to make sure the facility has both vaccines.
COVID-19 Testing | Appointment required
Veterans are encouraged to review each South Texas Veterans Health Care System location-specific guidance regarding COVID-19 testing:
Audie L. Murphy Campus- Veterans who are not in medical distress and request COVID-19 testing should contact their primary care physician by calling the COPAC at 210-949-9702 or their Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) by secure messaging so an order may be placed to schedule a COVID test appointment. COVID testing is by appointment only.
Patients that present to the Emergency Department will be screened prior to being tested. For Veterans that are tested, results are available within 1-2 days of collection.
Kerrville Campus –Veterans are encouraged to contact their primary care physician for further guidance. Veterans may visit the following link for community locations: https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/clinic-locator/covid-19-testing/kerrville-covid-7728.html
Outpatient Clinic (OPC) and Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC): Veterans enrolled in the following OPC or CBOC are encouraged to contact their primary care physician by calling the COPAC at 210-949-9702 or PACT team by secure messaging to schedule a COVID test with Quest Diagnostics or North Central Federal Clinic for swabbing. A list of free San Antonio testing site locations is also available at: https://covid19.sanantonio.gov/What-YOU-Can-Do/Testing#TestingLocation
- Audie L. Murphy Internal Medicine Clinic
- North Central Federal Clinic
- South Bexar Outpatient Clinic
- Balcones Heights Outpatient Clinic
- North Bexar Outpatient Clinic
- Pecan Valley Community Based Outpatient Clinic
- New Braunfels Community Based Outpatient Clinic
- San Antonio Northwest Health Care Center
- San Antonio VA Clinic
- Shavano Park Outpatient Clinic
- Southwest VA Clinic
Victoria Outpatient Clinic: Antigen testing is provided if patients are symptomatic. Veterans are encouraged to contact their PACT team by secure messaging or calling 210-949-9702 to schedule a COVID test due to limited resources. Veterans may also visit NextCare Urgent Care for patients outside the Victoria catchment area. Veterans may visit the City of Victoria website for community locations: https://www.victoriatx.org/596/COVID-19
Order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests at COVIDtests.gov, or by calling 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489). Order tests now so you have them when you need them. Learn more about COVID-19 testing at VA.
South Texas will continue to share new information as it becomes available.