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COVID-19 vaccines and testing

Our goal is to maximize COVID-19 vaccination of Veterans, spouses and caregivers, as well as VA employees and volunteers. VA Boston now offers COVID-19 testing on demand for Veterans who are enrolled in VA health care, as well.

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COVID-19 and flu vaccination

VA Boston Healthcare System weekday, walk-in, flu and COVID-19 vaccination clinics for Veterans as of Thursday, March 2, 2023, at the Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury and Brockton campuses. 

COVID-19 and flu vaccine walk-in clinics for Veterans, their spouses and caregivers, and CHAMPVA recipients*
Brockton Campus Jamaica Plain Campus West Roxbury Campus
Brockton Campus Thursdays Jamaica Plain Campus Wednesdays West Roxbury Campus Fridays
Brockton Campus 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Jamaica Plain Campus 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. West Roxbury Campus 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Brockton Campus Building 3, 3rd Floor, Primary Care Jamaica Plain Campus Primary Care Conference Room West Roxbury Campus Building 1, Primary Care

* Vaccine clinics are closed during all federal holidays.

  • Walk-in vaccination clinics are first come, first served, and an appropriate vaccine will be offered based on clinical need and vaccine inventory.

  • COVID-19 boosters are available for Veterans, spouses, caregivers and CHAMPVA recipients.

  • Flu shots are only available for Veterans. Clinics offer both regular flu vaccine and the adjuvanted formulation -- adjuvanted flu vaccine is recommended for all adults 65 and older.

  • You must have eligibility established before getting your shot.

  • Vaccines, including boosters, can help prevent severe illness and hospitalization.

  • Updated boosters, also known as bivalent boosters, target the most recent Omicron subvariants, in addition to the original COVID-19 viruses.

  • If you have a weakened immune system, you may be at increased risk of severe COVID-19 illness and hospitalization, and your immune response to COVID-19 vaccination may not be as strong as in people who are not immunocompromised.

  • CDC’s COVID-19 booster tool, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fvaccines%2Fbooster-shot.html, can help you determine when you can get boosters to stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines.

  • If you have previously received COVID-19 vaccination and/or boosters, please bring your shot card for verification and updating.

  • Screening, approved masks and physical distancing are still required at our facilities.

If you have additional questions about getting an additional dose / booster of COVID-19 vaccine, please ask your primary care provider. VA Boston HCS patients can call 800-865-3384 and press 3, or message their primary care team through MyHealtheVet.

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 a handout on getting your COVID-19 shot from a VA CCN provider. (PDF)

COVID-19 testing

There is no medical evaluation or treatment provided by the testing clinics. If you have mild symptoms and are concerned about COVID-19 infection, we can provide a test with instructions for follow-up as needed. 

COVID testing site locations and hours*
Jamaica Plain Campus West Roxbury Campus Brockton Campus
Jamaica Plain Campus Ambulatory Care Entrance lobby, across from room F1-04B West Roxbury Campus Building 2, Entrance/Vestibule Brockton Campus Building 22, Conference Room C
Jamaica Plain Campus M-F, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. West Roxbury Campus M-F, 6 a.m. – 2 p.m. Brockton Campus M-F, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.

*Pease note that testing sites are closed during federal holidays.

Normally, test results will be available in 24-48 hours. We will contact you with the results. You can also find your results in your My HealtheVet account under Labs + Tests. If you have not been contacted with your results within 48 hours, please call the Clinical Contact Center at 800-865-3384. Please note that COVID-19 testing is currently only available for Veterans who are enrolled in VA health care. Spouses and caregivers are not eligible for COVID-19 testing from VA at this time.

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.
Urgent care normal business hours
Jamaica Plain Campus West Roxbury Campus Brockton Campus
Jamaica Plain Campus Urgent Care West Roxbury Campus Emergency Department Brockton Campus Urgent Care
Jamaica Plain Campus M-F, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. West Roxbury Campus 24/7 Brockton Campus 24/7

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

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