J.C. Derrick
All area veterans are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Healthcare System announced Wednesday afternoon.
“Employees at the NF/SGVHS continue to make it a priority to ensure that we are able to provide the vaccine to all eligible Veterans who receive health care within our system,” Thomas Wisnieski, director, NF/SGVHS, said in a statement. “We encourage eligible Veterans who are enrolled to get their vaccine. It is very important in ensuring the safety of all.”
Up until now the VA has increasingly widened the circle of those eligible to receive the vaccine, but now the only requirement is that a veteran receive care at a facility in the North Florida/South Georgia region. Those in the system can call 352-548-6000 ext. 103755 to schedule an appointment.
If the preferred site is unavailable, the VA encourages veterans to try another site in the North Florida/South Georgia region. Veterans can also go to one of the no-appointment vaccine clinics taking place in the area, including in Lake City and Gainesville this week.
The VA announcement comes on the heels of the Food and Drug Administration granting an emergency use authorization to Johnson & Johnson, which developed the third vaccine to hit the market and the first to only require one dose. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he expects the state to receive 175,000 Johnson & Johnson vaccine doses this week, significantly increasing access to populations previously required to wait.