December 22, 2021 3:45 a.m.

The Roseburg VA Health Care System is expanding its offering of COVID-19 booster shots.

Medical Center Director Keith Allen said, “Vaccines remain the best way of protecting Veterans, staff and the RVAHCS community against COVID-19”. Allen said, “During the holidays, the expanded Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations regarding booster shots allow us to better protect those at higher risk, as well as our community at large”.

A VA release said the CDC recommends a booster for individuals who are 18 years and older and are at least 6 months from their second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, or at least 2 months from their single dose J&J COVID-19 vaccine.

Adolescents 16-17 years of age may receive a booster dose of Phizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after completion of their primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.

The release said individuals who are 18 years of age and older may receive any of the COVID-19 vaccines as a booster dose and should check their vaccination site ahead of time if they have a preference of vaccine. Individuals younger than 18 years of age should only get the Phizer-BioNTech as a booster.

Veterans who received a COVID-19 vaccine outside of the VA will need to contact the Primary Care Clinic at 440-1000. Those who received a vaccine under authority of the SAVE LIVES Act and want a booster dose may do so if the VA’s supply permits, and should consult their physician if they have questions about whether they should receive a booster. Contact the RVAHCS Call Center for an appointment or information about walk-in hours.

Go to the VA’s Questions webpage for questions and answers regarding the COVID-19 vaccine: https://www.va.gov/initiatives/have-questions-before-you-get-your-covid-19-vaccine/