VA Begins Vaccinating All Veterans, Caregivers, and Spouses under Pappas-Backed Legislation

Press Release

Today, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), a member of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and Chair of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, is reminding all veterans, caregivers, and spouses that they are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at the VA through legislation he helped introduce in the House and worked to pass.

Pappas applauded the VA New England Healthcare System's (VISN 1) announcement this morning that they would begin acting on this legislation now that it has become law.

The SAVE LIVES Act, which Rep. Pappas co-sponsored in the House and worked to pass in March, takes critical steps in allowing VA to fully protect our veterans by granting VA the ability to vaccinate veterans and essential caregivers who are not currently eligible for or enrolled in the VA health care system.

The legislation was signed into law by President Biden last month.

"VA has done incredible work to vaccinate more than one million veterans. But prior to this legislation, there were millions more veterans and caregivers who are not yet eligible to receive a vaccine because they are not eligible for or enrolled in VA health care services," said Congressman Pappas. "I'm pleased that the VA New England Healthcare System announced today that all veterans, caregivers, and spouses are now eligible in accordance with the legislation I co-sponsored in the House. Those who have worn the uniform of our country should not have to fight yet another battle in order to get this vaccine, and I will continue to fight to ensure that all our veterans get the support they have earned and the help they need throughout this pandemic."

Those eligible to receive a vaccine can go to www.va.gov/covid-19-vaccine to register and stay informed on VA's vaccine rollout process. Your local VA Medical Center will contact Veterans when additional vaccines are available. The VA is vaccinating all individuals in the categories listed above regardless of age or any other factor.

To maintain continued health and safety during the pandemic, VA is recommending you do not visit a VA facility for a COVID-19 vaccine without an appointment.

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