Vaccines for U.S. Military Dependents Age 12 & Up

[OnMyWay]

VA announced they will offer vaccinations for military dependents 12 and up.

https://newsroom.tricare.mil/Articles/Article/2629608/tricare-beneficiaries-ages-12-and-older-now-eligible-for-covid-19-vaccine?fbclid=IwAR0CtslO85DByUIIYcHotNkVCU0LzXwxV3HnsYmf4g8BhyS8knUxjRawthk

TRICARE Beneficiaries Ages 12 and Older Now Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine
By TRICARE Communications

FALLS CHURCH, Va.  –  On May 10, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded its emergency use authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech (Pfizer) COVID-19 vaccine. This means children ages 12-15 are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. It’s the latest of several crucial steps taken by the federal government to end the pandemic.
 
“We’re continuing to see major progress being made against COVID-19,” said Dr. John Kugler, chief of the Clinical Support Division at the Defense Health Agency. “This expanded vaccine eligibility for pre-teens and teens will protect their health and reduce the spread of the virus to those who may be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. This will also help adolescents more safely resume activities, such as in-person classes and after school or summer programs and activities.”
 
Why are 12-15 year olds now approved to get the vaccine?
If you’re a parent with a child who’s now eligible for the vaccine, you may have questions about safety. The FDA has conducted a thorough review of the Pfizer vaccine and determined that its potential benefits outweigh potential risks in those 12 years of age and older. According to the FDA evaluation, clinical trials involving 12-15 year olds showed 100% effectiveness, strong antibody responses, and no serious side effects. Based on this FDA data, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone age 12 and older get vaccinated.
 
Is the COVID-19 vaccine appointment process the same for children?
Yes. The Department of Defense (DoD) has already begun administering doses to TRICARE beneficiaries who are 12-15 years old. All eligible and authorized TRICARE beneficiaries and DoD individuals can make a COVID-19 vaccine appointment at any military hospital, clinic, or DoD vaccination site. Other options may include:
A civilian provider
State and local-run vaccination sites
Pharmacies participating in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program
 
Parents should contact their local vaccination sites to make sure the Pfizer vaccine is available. Need help finding clinics, pharmacies, or other locations outside of the DoD? Check out the CDC Vaccine Finder.
 
If your child receives the vaccine outside of the DoD, let his or her primary care manager know and provide them a copy of the vaccine card so that this health record is on file. The COVID-19 vaccine itself is free. However, there may be a cost based on your child’s health plan for an office visit with a provider, or if your child needs follow-on care.
 
What do I need to know after my child gets the COVID-19 vaccine?
The CDC considers your child to be fully vaccinated two weeks after the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Like adults, it’s safe for children to resume certain activities after building protection against the virus. Keep in mind, your child may experience side effects 1-2 days after getting the shot. This may be pain or swelling in the arm where he or she received the shot. Other side effects may include tiredness, fever, headache, muscle pain, or chills. These are normal signs that your child’s body is building protection against the virus. They should go away after a few days. You can find tips on how to reduce discomfort on the CDC website.
 
Remember, the Pfizer vaccine is the only COVID-19 vaccine approved for 12-15 year olds as of now. If you have questions or concerns about this vaccine, you should discuss them with your medical provider.
 
Find TRICARE COVID-19 resources online, and keep up with vaccine updates through TRICARE’s “Got Your 6” video series. Take command of your family’s health, and make sure they get the COVID-19 vaccine.
 
Sign up for email alerts, and keep up with TRICARE and COVID-19 updates.

At the time of posting, this information is current. Visit www.cdc.gov or TRICARE COVID

Edited May 26, 2021 by Jollygoodfellow

[Yeochief]

14 hours ago, OnMyWay said:

VA announced

TRICARE and VA are different.  VA will only give vaccines to Veterans and spouses/caregivers at this time.  VA Manila are only giving vaccines to Veterans that get care with them, once that is done, if you are registered, COVID-19 vaccines at VA | Veterans Affairs, VA Manila will start calling IF vaccines are available for Veterans that do not get care at VA Manila and spouses/care givers of all Veterans.

 

[OnMyWay]

7 minutes ago, Yeochief said:

TRICARE and VA are different.  VA will only give vaccines to Veterans and spouses/caregivers at this time.  VA Manila are only giving vaccines to Veterans that get care with them, once that is done, if you are registered, COVID-19 vaccines at VA | Veterans Affairs, VA Manila will start calling IF vaccines are available for Veterans that do not get care at VA Manila and spouses/care givers of all Veterans.

 

Yup, I screwed that up.  For some reason I had VA stuck in my head.

Do you belong to the RAO in Angeles or Subic?  Not sure about Angeles, but Jack Walker runs RAO Subic and they are a wealth of information for vets.  You can follow them on FB or get on their mailing list.

https://www.facebook.com/RAO-SUBIC-BAY-111347250599771

There is an article there that VA is giving vacs to 12-17 year olds now.

Thank you for your service!

[Yeochief]

You never screwed, just too many programs that should be rolled into one.

Yes.  Eligible adolescents ages 12 to 17 can now get a Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at VA facilities that provide this vaccine.  Adolescents are eligible if they meet either of these requirements:

• They receive CHAMPVA benefits, or
• They help provide care or assistance to a Veteran

Here’s what to know:

• The Pfizer-BioNTech is the only COVID-19 vaccine authorized for use in adolescents at this time. Not all VA health facilities offer this vaccine right now. Check with your VA facility before you go to get a vaccine.
  Find your nearest VA health facility that offers COVID-19 vaccines 
• The adolescent’s parent or legal  guardian must come with them to get the vaccine. Both the adolescent and their parent or guardian must give their consent for the vaccine.

COVID-19 vaccines at VA | Veterans Affairs  https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/#who-can-now-get-a-covid-19-vac

Am I eligible for health care through CHAMPVA?

You may only be eligible for health care through CHAMPVA if you don’t qualify for TRICARE and at least one of the descriptions listed below is true for you.

At least one of these must be true. You’re:

• The spouse or child of a Veteran who’s been rated permanently and totally disabled for a service-connected disability by a VA regional office, or
• The surviving spouse or child of a Veteran who died from a VA-rated service-connected disability, or
• The surviving spouse or child of a Veteran who was at the time of death rated permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected disability, or
• The surviving spouse or child of a service member who died in the line of duty, not due to misconduct (in most of these cases, family members qualify for TRICARE, not CHAMPVA).

A service-connected disability is a disability that we’ve concluded was caused—or made worse—by the Veteran’s active-duty service. A permanent disability is one that’s not expected to improve.

Note: A Veteran who’s the qualifying CHAMPVA sponsor for their family may also qualify for the VA health care program based on their own Veteran status. If 2 spouses are both Veterans who qualify as CHAMPVA sponsors for their family, they both may now qualify for CHAMPVA benefits. Each time they need medical care, they may choose to get care through the VA health care program or using their CHAMPVA coverage.

 

 

[DaveB]

VA Manila has been working down a set of categories, starting early in May.  Their primary first focus has been for Vets who are enrolled with the VA Clinic in Manila for medical care...which is a round about way of saying vets with service related injuries, since that is their primary care audience.

1st layer, health workers, Vets over 75, vets with certain extra danger indicators like spinal care patients.  This layer seems to have been completed early in May, as I'm in the second layer and ended up with an appointment early in May

2nd layer.  Can't remember - might have been above age 65 - all I know is I got an appointment and I'm 72.  I had previously signed up to be notified.  They called me and arranged for the day to come in for the first shot (Phizer), and then scheduled me for the second on May 17.  

Meanwhile, as of yesterday, here is the advisory they sent out. (sorry the links don't work, but hoping you can load them into a browser.)

  COVID-19 VACCINATIONS UPDATES:

VA Manila is reaching the end of our very successful first wave of COVID-19 vaccinations. By tomorrow, Saturday, May 29, 2021, the VA Manila Outpatient Clinic will have vaccinated approximately 20% of the enrolled Veteran population at the VA Manila Outpatient Clinic, all in just the last six weeks. This has been a tremendous undertaking and would not have been possible without the commitment and dedication of the VA Manila’s superb pharmacy, physician, nursing, and administrative staff. They have worked tirelessly to schedule vaccine appointments, administer vaccines, and ensure that every possible dose of vaccine that we had was able to be used.

 VA Manila is currently working with VA leadership in Washington, DC to coordinate the shipment and delivery of a second batch of COVID-19 vaccines. While we do not yet have a confirmed date for delivery, we are actively planning and intend to administer vaccines as quickly and safely as possible once the next shipment is received.

 For the second shipment, the VA Manila Outpatient Clinic is requesting the Janssen / Johnson and Johnson (J&J) vaccine. This is a one-dose vaccine option is preferred by our Veteran population in the Philippines who need to travel to Manila to receive the vaccine. Being able to complete their COVID-19 vaccination with just one visit to the Clinic, rather than two,  allows us to vaccinate twice as many people as compared to a vaccine option which requires a second dose (such as Pfizer-BioNTech).  The Janssen / J&J vaccine has been granted Emergency Use Authorization by both the United States and Philippines Food and Drug Administration, respectively, and is considered highly safe and effective. Links to the US Food and Drug Administration’s vaccine fact sheet are provided below:

Janssen COVID-19 vaccine fact sheet:

• FDA Janssen COVID-19 vaccine fact sheet (PDF)
• FDA Janssen COVID-19 vaccine fact sheets in more languages (including Tagalog)

 When the second vaccine delivery arrives, the Clinic will still focus our vaccination efforts on our enrolled Veteran population. Until VA Manila has been able to offer a COVID-19 vaccine to all enrolled Veterans who currently receive medical benefits at the Outpatient Clinic, we will not be able to expand vaccination efforts to non-enrolled Veterans or spouses and caregivers. The SAVE LIVES Act, HR 1276, which authorizes VA to provide vaccines to all Veterans, and spouses/caregivers, requires that VA prioritize enrolled Veterans ahead of all other groups in the absence of a readily available supply of vaccines. 

 We have received a significant number of requests from non-enrolled Veterans, spouses, and caregivers who have expressed interest in receiving a vaccine from VA Manila. At this time, VA Manila is unable to provide an estimate of when the Clinic may be able to begin vaccinating these individuals, but it will likely be at least several more months. Non-enrolled Veterans, spouses, and caregivers may wish to consider receiving a COVID-19 vaccine from any available source that is offered to you, including your local barangay, municipality, or provincial government or health department. As more vaccine supply is received by the Philippines, this may be a faster option to ensure you receive a vaccine and are protected from COVID-19. The best vaccine you can receive is the one that can get into your arm.

 How to Let VA Manila Know You Want a Vaccine?

VA Manila has put two new processes in place for Veterans to use to notify VA that they would like to receive a vaccine. These processes are different depending on your enrollment status with VA. Enrolled Veterans who have used VA Healthcare services in the past can register their intent to be vaccinated online by following the steps below in part A. Non-enrolled Veterans, Spouses, and Caregivers can register by sending an email as outlined below in part B. 

A. Enrolled Veterans in VA Healthcare Services: You can register and let VA know you would like to get a vaccine from VA Manila online at VA's COVID-19 Vaccination Website (https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/).

Please use Zip Code 96517 when completing this form. This will direct your online submission to VA Manila, where we will use it to contact enrolled Veterans when it is your turn to receive your vaccine appointment. Please complete the form as you normally would otherwise, ensuring your email and telephone numbers are accurate. We will use these as the two primary ways VA Manila will reach you when it’s your turn to be vaccinated.

B. Non-Enrolled Veterans, and Spouses / Caregivers: Once VA Manila has had an opportunity to offer a COVID-19 vaccine to all enrolled Veterans at VA Manila, if we have enough vaccine available, we intend to offer vaccines to all US Veterans in the Philippines. It is estimated that as many as 30,000 US Veterans live in the Philippines, so this is a large cohort of Veterans. It is unlikely that VA Manila will be able to start vaccinating individuals in these groups for several months, if not longer. But while you wait, please follow the process below and let VA know you would like to receive a vaccine. We can use this information to help us with planning and to know you’d like a vaccine.

You can let VA Manila know that you’d like a COVID-19 Vaccine if you are a non-Enrolled Veteran, a Spouse or Caregiver of a Veteran, and would like a vaccine. To do this, please send an email to:  ManilaCOVIDVaccine@va.gov. Please use the following subject line in your email: “Non-Enrolled Veteran / Spouse / Caregiver Vaccine Intent”

In the body of your email, include the following information:

Name, Date of Birth, Last 4 of Social Security Number

(if a spouse/caregiver of a Veteran): Veteran’s Name, Date of Birth, Last 4 of Social Security Number (if applicable)

Local Address (full street, barangay, city, province, postal code).

Local Phone Number and Email Address

Include a statement that you want to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, and are you willing to travel to VA Manila in Pasay City to receive the vaccine.

When you send a message to this information, a member of the VA Manila staff will compile your information into a secured database and maintain the information on file. When VA Manila receives enough vaccines to offer a shot to all enrolled Veterans, we will begin to contact non-Veterans in priority order based on age. VA Manila will maintain this information and contact Veterans with additional information about when a COVID-19 vaccine may be available for them from the Outpatient Clinic. After non-enrolled Veterans, if any supplies are remaining, we can offer them to spouses and caregivers.

You can also email ManilaCOVIDVaccine@va.gov if you have any questions or need additional information about VA Manila’s vaccination efforts. This email box will be reviewed by several individuals and our goal is to respond to all questions within 3 business days. Veterans who are active patients should use Secure Messenger within MyHealtheVet to communicate with their care team.