VA Black Hills Health Care System will begin COVID-19 vaccinations with the Janssen vaccine following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Emergency Use Authorization for this vaccine.
In clinical trials, the Janssen vaccine showed an efficacy of 66% against moderate to severe/critical COVID-19 disease occurring at least 28 days after vaccination — and demonstrated greater than 85% efficacy in preventing severe/critical COVID-19 disease occurring at least 28 days after vaccination.
“VA Black Hills is excited to offer a second highly effective vaccine to our Veterans,” said Teresa Forbes, Public Affairs Officer. “This one-dose vaccine will help us reach our highly rural Veterans to meet our ultimate goal of offering COVID-19 vaccination to all Veterans and employees who want to be vaccinated.” Because of storage requirements, the Moderna vaccine will remain available at the Fort Meade and Hot Springs campuses while the Janssen vaccine will be offered in rural areas throughout our service area.
As of March 3, VA Black Hills has provided Moderna COVID-19 vaccine first doses to more than 6,400 Veterans and employees — and both doses to more than 3,300 of these individuals.
Veterans who are enrolled and receiving health care in VA are eligible to get the vaccine. Currently, VA Black Hills is offering the vaccine to all risk categories.
Veterans are required to enroll with VA in order to receive health care. However, to receive care in VA, enrollees must meet certain eligibility requirements under current law, which may include income limits.
Veterans can get the latest information and sign up to receive updates on VA’s COVID-19 vaccine webpage.
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