COVID-19 vaccines and testing
VA Boston offers COVID-19 testing and vaccination for Veterans who are enrolled in VA health care.
COVID-19 vaccination
VA Boston Healthcare System offers COVID-19 vaccination for Veterans enrolled in VA health care, just ask your primary care team. You may also be able to get your vaccination from a VA Community Care Network (CCN) provider.
Learn more about walk-in flu and COVID vaccination clinics, and see the clinic schedules.
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.
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