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The Amarillo VA Health Care System has reached a milestone of administering 20,000 COVID vaccines. The Amarillo VA began vaccinating Veterans against COVID-19 in December 2020 to decrease

the risk of hospitalization or death due to Covid-19.

For more than two years VA Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT) have been on the frontlines of the pandemic. The Amarillo VA nursing staff state they are honored that Veterans have trusted them

throughout the pandemic.

“It has been such a privilege knowing that Veterans can come in and trust us with their healthcare,” said Stephanie Prater, Amarillo VA Nurse Manager. “It’s a testament to teamwork and our

ability to spread awareness of COVID-19 and how vaccines can help. We are all very grateful for the Veterans trust.”

Veterans needing to get vaccinated may do so Monday-Friday in Primary Care from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.  The Amarillo VA currently offers the Moderna (mRNA) vaccine, which is a series of 2

initial shots.  The second shot will be given 28 days after the initial shot.  The first booster is offered to anyone over the age of 18 as long as it has been five months since their second

shot.  A second booster is currently only available currently to those over 50 years of age and 4 months after their first booster. 

Throughout the pandemic, the Amarillo VA Health Care System has put an emphasize on Veteran care while limiting community spread and continuing to vaccinate to protect the Veteran and

community.

“Our intent has been to continue providing maximum consistent access to safe, timely, high-quality care during the ups and downs of COVID-19 community spread,” said Jacob Yang, Associate

Chief of Pharmacy Operations. “We are honored to be able to provide protection against COVID-19 to those who once safeguarded us from harm. By reaching this milestone of 20,000 vaccines

administered, the Amarillo VA Health Care System is showing that we are doing everything we can to protect ourselves and community from the devastating effects of COVID-19.”

Currently the Amarillo VA is giving vaccines to Veteran’s, spouses, and caregivers.  The Amarillo VA campus is giving COVID-19 vaccines as a walk in, no appointment is needed. The Lubbock VA

campus is giving COVID-19 vaccines by appointment only on the fourth Thursday of every month. Veterans may schedule appointments through secure messaging in myHealtheVet or by calling

806-355-9703 and press option 2.