Despite wind chill temperatures well below zero, veterans in both Salina and Hutchinson traveled to the Robert J. Dole VA clinics in those cities to get vaccinated against COVID-19 on Saturday.
“I need all the help I can get, that’s why I’m getting this shot today,” said J.R. Castro, a 77-year old Army Veteran who served in Vietnam. “I don’t want to find out what COVID is like.”
Raymond Hernandez, 85, and a four-year veteran of the Coast Guard who served in the South Pacific during the Korean War, is hopeful for the freedom the vaccine will bring to his life. When asked if he was excited about getting vaccinated today, his response was “Absolutely.”
“I can feel better about being around people,” said Hernandez, from Salina. “I’ve been pretty well holed up, family members do my shopping and everything, but now I’ll feel a lot better about at least going out once in a while.”
Not every veteran was excited about getting vaccinated, though. Lawayne Cart, a 75-year old veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps from Salina, said he was only getting it because he saw it as a necessity.
The VA vaccinated 200 veterans at each location, or about 40 per hour. Helen Pope, nurse manager for both locations, said the operation ran smoothly. The clinic in Hutchinson had nine staff plus two volunteers for the day, while the Salina location had 12 staff on duty and one volunteer.
Volunteers support the operation by escorting veterans from the waiting area to exam rooms to get vaccinated, and then to the observation area. Each person receiving the vaccine has to be observed for potential reactions for 15 minutes, but those with certain health conditions or on certain medications have to be observed for 30 minutes.
As vaccines become available for more groups of veterans, the VA will inform veterans by letter. VA care teams will also reach out to eligible veterans to schedule vaccinations. There is no need to preregister or come to a facility to sign up.
Veterans need to be enrolled in health care with a Dole VA facility to be eligible for the vaccine. You can learn more about eligibility and how to apply at www.va.gov/healthbenefits or call 1-877-222-VETS.
The Dole VA is currently offering the vaccine to veterans 65 years of age and older. Veterans can call 316-469-0914 to schedule an appointment.
--Dole VA Medical Center--