COVID-19 vaccines and testing
Safe care is our mission. VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System offers the COVID-19 vaccine to ALL Veterans, Veteran spouses, caregivers of Veterans, and CHAMPVA recipients at no cost.
COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Information
The health and safety or our Veterans and staff remain a top priority for VA. Vaccine remains the best way to protect everyone from serious illness. Protect yourself, your family, and your community by scheduling your appointment today. COVID-19 vaccine has been proven to be effective in diminishing the spread of the virus within our communities.
Veterans are asked to bring their valid VA ID card with them and the CDC Vaccination Card.
Who is eligible for a booster?
Anyone age 18 or older who:
• Completed the Moderna or Pfizer series at least 6 months ago
• Received the Johnson & Johnson single dose at least 2 months ago
VA will continue to offer COVID-19 vaccine and boosters to those authorized under Save Lives Act recipients while supplies last.
Why is a booster important?
COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness fades over time.
• A booster will recharge your body’s ability to protect you from COVID-19!
If you are an enrolled Veteran who received a vaccination outside of the VA, please report it to your primary care team.
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System now has over 500 doses of COVID booster vaccine available (and more on the way) at no cost for both Veteran patients and employees for the 2023-2024 season. The updated vaccines target more recent COVID-19 strains. Due to changes in the virus, it is important to get the updated vaccine as soon as you are eligible.
You can get your flu shot and your COVID shot at the same time (different extremities). Not only do these vaccines prevent serious complications of flu and COVID among those who are most vulnerable, but they also reduce the severity of illness and prevent missed days of work for even the healthiest among us.
Updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 Shot Eligibility
The CDC recently issued the following updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine recommendations:
1. All adults should receive one updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine dose, if it’s been at least 2 months since receiving any older COVID-19 vaccine.
2. Anyone who has not yet received any COVID-19 vaccine should receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine.
Additionally,
3. People with moderately to severely immunocompromising conditions may receive additional updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 doses, if recommended by their provider.
You are up to date if you have had one dose of the most recent COVID-19 vaccine that became available in September 2023-2024.
You can also receive your updated shot at no cost to you outside of VA. You can locate a vaccine site at Vaccines.gov - Search for COVID-19 vaccine locations. Make sure to take your COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card when you go!
If you received your vaccine outside of the VA, we encourage you to share this information with your VA health care team. You can do this by adding your vaccine information to your My HealtheVet health summary for your own records. To add your information, you’ll need a premium My HealtheVet account. Learn more about managing your COVID-19 vaccine records online.
For more information call your local VA Medical Center or visit https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/
How do I schedule my COVID Vaccine Additional/Booster Does?
We encourage you to get your vaccine as soon as you can. It’s the best way to protect yourself, your family, and your community against COVID-19. This is especially important as new forms (or “variants”) of COVID-19 spread more quickly in the U.S.
- Walk-Ins only. No appointment needed.
Walk-In to West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, Bldg. 500
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.- 3 p.m.
It is important to identify to the schedulers if you have an immunocompromised medical condition, so you will be scheduled for an appropriate vaccine dose.
Who can get the vaccine?
All Veterans and their constituents can get COVID-19 vaccines under the SAVE LIVES Act. This does not include the flu shot.
- All Veterans (including Veterans who live or travel outside of the U.S. and are eligible for the VA Foreign Medical Program)
- Spouses and surviving spouses of Veterans
- Caregivers of Veterans (including family members or friends who provide care to a Veteran)
The VA defines a Caregiver as a family member or friend who provides care to a Veteran. Caregivers may help a Veteran with personal needs like feeding, bathing, or dressing. They may also help a Veteran with tasks like shopping or transportation. - Recipients of Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) benefits
I am a Veteran not enrolled in VA health care. How can I enroll?
Veterans can apply for VA health care by calling 877-222-8387 or visiting How to Apply for VA Health Care.
What can I do to fight COVID-19?
Keep up the 3W’s!
It’s important for everyone to continue using all the tools available to help stop this pandemic as we learn more about how COVID-19 vaccines work in real-world conditions. Even after vaccination, Veterans and employees should continue to:
- Wear a face covering
- Watch your distance (stay 6 feet apart)
- Wash hands frequently
I have a specific medical condition and don't know if it's a good idea for me to be vaccinated. Who should I ask?
If you have a question about your personal medical history, please communicate with your primary care provider. You can also learn quite a bit about the specifics of the COVID-19 vaccine at our Keep Me Informed tool