COVID-19 vaccines and testing

COVID-19 vaccination

VA Boston Healthcare System offers walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinics for Veterans enrolled in VA health care at our flu-shot clinics. You may also be able to get your vaccination from a VA Community Care Network (CCN) provider, including Costco, CVS, Kroger, Safeway, Walmart, Wegmans and more. Click here for more information.

COVID-19 testing

We offer free COVID-19 diagnostic lab tests for Veterans who are enrolled in VA health care.  Just request an  appointment in any of these three ways: 

• Send a secure message to your VA primary care provider.
  Request a test appointment through secure messaging
• Request an appointment for a test with your VA primary care provider online.
  Request a primary care test appointment online 
• Or call your VA Boston health care team at 800-865-3384

If you have any symptoms that could be COVID-19, please call ahead and wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth while you’re in a VA health facility.

Other ways to get self-test kits:

• Every home in the U.S. can order 1 set of 4 free tests that they can take at home. Learn how to order free self-test kits on COVID.gov

• Some local pharmacies also offer self-test kits. If you have health insurance, your plan may pay you back for tests. Check with your local pharmacies for more information. There may also be free tests available if you don’t have insurance. Find more about ways to get tests at COVID.gov

It is common to experience the following symptoms during COVID-19 infection:

• Cough
• Fever and/or chills
• Muscle or body aches
• Loss of sense of taste and/or smell

If you are sick:

• Stay home, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas.
• Take care of yourself by resting at home and drinking non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic drinks.
• If you are feeling ill AND wish to be evaluated urgently, please visit Urgent Care during normal business hours.

If you wish to be seen outside of Urgent Care hours, please go to the VA West Roxbury Emergency Department, VA Brockton Urgent Care, or a VA Community Care Network (CCN) urgent care clinic. Find a VA CCN urgent care clinic near you at https://www.va.gov/find-locations.

Warning Signs (call 911 or get seen in your local emergency/urgent care facility as soon as possible):

• Trouble breathing
• Pain or pressure in your chest that does not go away
• Feeling confused
• Unable to stay awake or to wake up
• Having pale, gray or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone

For questions, please call the Clinical Contact Center at 800-865-3384.

For those not enrolled in VA health care, Boston Public Health lists outside test providers at: https://www.boston.gov/government/cabinets/boston-public-health-commission/covid-19-testing