COVID-19 Booster Shots Available at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System

Starting immediately, the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System will offer Moderna and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine boosters under Emergency Use Authorization. The health care system has been providing Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine boosters since September and will continue to offer that option as well.

This decision follows the Food and Drug Administration’s authorization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation for a booster dose for individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. The following groups are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series

• 65 years and older
• Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
• Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
• Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings

For individuals who received a Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are recommended for all those who are 18+ and who were vaccinated two or more months ago.

“We remain deeply dedicated to the safety of our Veterans and employees,” said Ralph H. Johnson VAHCS Director and CEO Scott Isaacks.  “We have the capacity to provide booster shots to all eligible Veterans in our community, and we encourage those Veterans to come get their shot.”

Veterans who are eligible for the COVID-19 booster shot can call 843-789-6500 to schedule an appointment at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in downtown Charleston or at one of its community outpatient clinics in Hinesville and Savannah, Georgia, and in North Charleston, Goose Creek, Beaufort and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots. VA will offer booster vaccines to Veterans receiving care at VA and VA employees, and all other Veterans, spouses, caregivers and CHAMPVA recipients under the authority of the SAVE LIVES Act, as supply and capacity permits.

CDC advises that people can get both the COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine at the same time. Veterans receiving care within the Ralph H. Johnson VAHCS who wish to get a booster shot can get both shots together during the same visit.

The Ralph H. Johnson VACHS also continues to offer the initial COVID-19 vaccination series to those Veterans who have not yet been vaccinated.  Veterans who would like to schedule their COVID-19 vaccination can call 843-789-6500.  Vaccinations are offered at the main hospital and community clinics. Visit the Ralph H. Johnson VAHCS COVID-19 vaccination webpage for more information.

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