FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dec. 21, 2020 

WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will begin COVID-19 vaccinations this week at 128 additional sites using the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines. On December 18, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an Emergency Use Authorization of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, which is the second COVID-19 vaccine to be authorized.

“Having a second COVID-19 vaccine will enable us to reach more facilities and vaccinate more health care personnel and Veterans in additional parts of the country,” said VA Secretary Robert L. Wilkie. “We continue to implement our COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan and are grateful to be one step closer to seeing the end of this pandemic.” 

Per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, VA will continue to vaccinate health care personnel, as well as community living center and spinal cord unit residents. As vaccine supplies increase, VA’s ultimate goal is to offer COVID-19 vaccinations to all Veterans and employees who want to be vaccinated.

113 VA Medical Centers (VAMCs) and outpatient clinics will receive limited Moderna COVID-19 vaccine supplies this week. 

They include:

Michigan

 Battle Creek VA Medical Center 

Detroit VA Medical Center 

Saginaw VA Medical Center 

Iron Mountain VA Medical Center

VA launches single access point to all VA contact centers

Dec. 16, 2020, 12:03:00 PM

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today, the formal launch of 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411), a single access point to all VA contact centers.

The number is available 24 hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year to serve Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors.

Responding to Veteran feedback on the challenges of knowing the right number for VA assistance, 1-800-MyVA411, serves all members of the Veteran community seeking information or help.

Veterans and their families can still  reach the Veterans Crisis Line directly at 1-800-273-8255 and pressing 1, by Chat or by texting 838255. The White House VA Hotline is also still available at 1-855-948-2311 for Veterans and their families to share compliments and concerns.

“1-800-MyVA411 is always the right number to reach VA and is a great example of the department’s customer service strategy in action,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “1-800-MyVA411 provides easy access to specialized contact centers as well as an option to immediately talk to a live agent.”

When dialing 1-800-MyVA411, callers have the option of pressing 0 to be immediately connected with a customer service agent to answer questions or provide a warm-handoff to the appropriate VA expert. 

News Release Details: 800.698.2411

VA creates National Women Veterans Oncology System of Excellence in fight against breast cancer

Oct. 20, 2020, 10:43:00 AM

WASHINGTON — In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today it is developing a National Women Veterans Oncology System of Excellence through research, partnerships precision oncology and teleoncology that will provide women Veteran oncology patients with cutting edge care and access to potentially lifesaving clinical trials.

Through the National Women Veterans Oncology System of Excellence and current partnerships with The National Cancer Institute, academic medical centers and others, VA is uniquely situated to provide care via tele oncology and decentralized clinical trials to Women Veterans nationwide.

“Each year, an estimated 700 women Veterans enrolled in VA health care are diagnosed with breast cancer — calculating to one in eight women diagnosed within their lifetime,” said Acting VA Deputy Secretary Pamela Powers. “VA’s continued work  with partnerships, research and innovations are leading to faster cures and better outcomes. Our Veterans deserve no less.”

Partnerships with medical and research universities will help advance and expand VA’s tele oncology and other services to provide the best cancer care and treatment options to women Veterans across the nation.

As part of this effort, VA is seeking to partner with more oncology medical and research organizations and universities that deliver world-class care and research. For information on becoming a VA partner, contact Cancer@VA.Gov. 

Learn more about VA health services for women Veterans.