COVID-19 vaccinations and testing
We offer COVID-19 vaccines and boosters to Veterans, spouses and caregivers!
Vaccination locations and hours
San Diego VA Medical Center - 1st Floor, Multipurpose Room
Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (excluding federal holidays)
Offering Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines (PRIMARY SERIES ONLY) and
Pfizer-BioNTech BIVALENT Booster ONLY
Note: New BIVALENT Moderna BOOSTER COMING SOON
Appointments preferred but walk-ins accepted.
Chula Vista VA Clinic
Kearny Mesa VA Clinic
Oceanside VA Clinic
Sorrento Valley VA Clinic
Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (excluding federal holidays)
Offering Moderna vaccine (PRIMARY SERIES ONLY)
Note: New BIVALENT Moderna and Pfizer BOOSTERS COMING SOON
Appointments are preferred but walk-ins accepted.
Please call 858-552-7475 to make an appointment. Veterans currently enrolled in VA health care may use VA’s online appointment scheduling tool to schedule appointments at the La Jolla Medical Center.
If walking in, please check in at the Primary Care check-in locations between the suggested hours of 9:00 and 11 :00 a.m.
COVID-19 Vaccination Rideshare
If you need assistance with a ride to your COVID vaccination appointment, VA San Diego can help with free Uber/Lyft rides. Set up your vaccination appointment by calling 858-552-7475 and then call 855-205-7325 to organize the ride.
For more information, please download the
Booster Shot Eligibility
As of March 30th, 2022, everyone 50 years and older or 18 and older with certain immunocompromised medical conditions are now eligible to get the 2nd Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 booster.
For individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are recommended for 18 and older and who received their 2nd dose of either series at least FIVE months ago.
For people who received a Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are recommended for 18 and older and vaccinated at least two months ago. Please note per the CDC, in most situations, Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are preferred over the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine. Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Overview and Safety | CDC
Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. For example, some people may prefer the vaccine type they originally received, while others may prefer a different booster. CDC’s recommendations allow for this type of mix-and-match dosing for booster shots.
For continued health and safety, minor children are not permitted in our medical facilities at this time.
COVID-19 Testing
COVID-19 testing for patients WITHOUT flu- or COVID-19-like symptoms
We offer COVID-19 testing to enrolled VA San Diego Healthcare System patients before surgeries, procedures or admissions to the hospital. We also offer testing for patients who have been exposed to COVID-19 but remain WITHOUT flu- or COVID-19-like symptoms.
Testing requirements:
- You MUST have a provider’s order for a COVID-19 test
- If requesting a test due to potential COVID-19 exposure, please contact your primary care provider at 858-552-7475 or via My HealtheVet Secure Messaging to request a test
- If a test is required for a surgery, procedure or admission, your provider will order a test for you
- A scheduled appointment as recommended by your provider is preferred
- Walk-ins are permitted, but only if a provider’s order is in place
Testing locations and hours:
San Diego VA Medical Center (visit the white tent in front of the Emergency Department)
Hours: Mon- Fri, 6:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Chula Vista VA Clinic
Hours: Mon.- Fri., 8 :00 - 9:00 a.m.
El Centro VA Clinic
Hours: Tues. - Thurs., 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Kearny Mesa VA Clinic (inside main lobby)
Hours: Mon.- Fri., 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Oceanside VA Clinic
Hours: Weekdays except Wednesdays, 9:00 - 10 :00a.m.; Wed., 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Sorrento Valley VA Clinic
Hours: Tues. & Thurs., 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
To explore additional testing options offered through the county of San Diego, please call 2-1-1 or visit coronavirus-sd.com/testing.
COVID-19 Testing At-Home
Order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests at COVIDtests.gov, or by calling 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489). Order tests now so you have them when you need them. Learn more about COVID-19 testing at VA.