Second vaccine doses roll out for veterans through pilot program

As part of the Veterans Health Administration’s Rural Vaccine Distribution pilot program, hundreds of veterans throughout Montana are slated to receive their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in the coming weeks.

In the Havre area, 240 veterans who received their first doses Jan. 21 will receive their second doses on Feb. 18. And for the 400 Kalispell area veterans who received their first doses earlier this month, March 2 is when they can expect their second doses.

Aside from these two areas, the program also aims to administer an initial round of shots to approximately 200 veterans in Lewistown late next week. Second doses will follow roughly 28 days after the first.

According to a news release, the Montana Veterans Association Health Care System is able to provide the vaccines to veterans in rural areas by utilizing a fixed-wing aircraft that transports the vaccines from a specialty freezer in Fort Harrison to local clinics where they are then administered.

The state’s VA system was selected by federal officials to lead the pilot program. Montana is “documenting and sharing best practices” that will help other VA sites across the country distribute vaccines to rural veterans, the news release states.

“One year ago, Montanans across the state were grappling with what COVID-19 would look like, and how it would impact our communities,” said Montana Veterans Association Health Care System Executive Director Dr. Judy Hayman. “The arrival of the COVID-19 vaccines means that we can finally aggressively fight back against the virus to keep our loved ones and communities safe.”

All told, the system has provided more than 4,200 first doses of the Moderna vaccine to enrolled Montana veterans — a figure that includes those in rural areas. Those shots were administered over the course of 23 vaccination clinics held at nine separate locations across the state.

And as vaccine allotment increases, officials say the number of events around the state will increase as well. But in the meantime, officials have asked the veterans and others to practice patience, and continue adhering to COVID-19 safety measures such as mask wearing and social distancing.

“We want to remind all Montanans that our fight against COVID-19 is not over yet,” Hayman said, adding that even those who have received their second dose should continue abiding by the safety measures.

The news release stresses that the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine has been cited as being 94% effective in clinical trials in preventing the disease once the second dose is administered. All veterans who receive a vaccine will be closely monitored for reactions, side effects, or adverse events.

“It is extremely important that each person get the second dose of COVID-19 vaccines,” explained Montana Veterans Association Health Care System’s Chief of Staff Dr. JP Maganito. “The first dose of the Moderna vaccine gives each person a minimal baseline of protection by creating some antibodies. When you receive the second dose, your body will already have COVID-19 antibodies, and your body may mount an immune response such as a low-grade fever, body aches, or a rash. If this happens, that is a positive sign that your body is able to safely fight off the virus. With the second dose, you have the fullest protection possible from COVID-19.”

Enrolled veterans do not need to contact the system or their local clinic to make a vaccine appointment. All eligible Veterans will be contacted by staff based on risk stratifications and vaccine allocations. Every veteran will eventually be contacted.

High-risk veterans will be called first to schedule vaccine appointments, the news release states. That population is identified as persons 75 years or older and any veteran who has a medical condition that may put them at increased risk based on the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention risk criteria and VA guidance.

If a Montana veteran is not enrolled in VHA healthcare, they are encouraged to call (877) 468-8387 and select Option 4 to find out if they are eligible. Unenrolled veterans are encouraged to call as soon as possible.

If a veteran has questions about receiving the vaccine, they can send their healthcare team a secure message through MyHealtheVet or call (877) 468-8387 (Option 2) to set up a time to discuss the COVID-19 vaccine.