Dear Veteran Patient:

The VA Maryland Health Care System and community retail pharmacies are offering the updated COVID-19 booster vaccines, also called bivalent vaccines. The updated booster protects against both the original virus that causes COVID-19, as well as the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants. Given the fast spread of the Omicron variant, getting an updated booster as soon as you are eligible is critical.

The following individuals should get a booster:

• Individuals 18 years and older who completed the primary series with two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna or Novavax COVID-19 vaccine at least 2 months ago, or with a Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at least 2 months ago.
• Individuals who have received one or two prior booster doses are also eligible 2 months after their most recent dose. These individuals can get either a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 updated booster.

You can schedule an appointment to receive the updated booster at a VA Maryland Health Care System facility or in your local community. 

Schedule an Appointment at the VA Maryland Health Care System:

Call the VA Maryland Health Care System’s Appointment Center Monday-Friday between     7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 410-605-7333 to schedule an appointment to receive an updated booster shot at the Baltimore VA Medical Center, the Perry Point VA Medical Center or the Cambridge VA Outpatient Clinic.

Schedule an Appointment in Your Local Community:

To find locations where you can receive the updated booster near you, visit the CDC Vaccine Finder website at www.vaccinefinder.org, or call 1-800-232-0233. Please make sure to have your CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card available to schedule an updated booster shot and follow the instructions provided. After receiving a booster shot in your local community, please bring your CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card to your next scheduled primary care appointment or upload it to your MyHealtheVet account.

Sincerely,

Jonathan R. Eckman, P.E.

Director, VA Maryland Health Care System