Vaccine clinics planned for veterans

The Montana VA Health Care System is hosting a two-day Moderna COVID-19 vaccination clinic for veterans in the Kalispell area on Tuesday, March 30, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and Wednesday, March 31, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The VA is scheduling 1,200 first doses in Kalispell, for eligible Veterans, including those in Priority 8e and 8g. Veterans interested in receiving a COVID-19 vaccine from the Montana VA, are asked to call the scheduling call center to verify their eligibly and/or schedule an appointment for one of the upcoming vaccination clinics. The contact number for the scheduling call center is 877-468-8387 (select Option 2, and then Option 2 again). Schedulers will be available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Walk-in appointments are available on a first come, first served basis at the Kalispell event, but MTVAHCS is strongly encouraging all participants to schedule an appointment to ensure eligibility and vaccine availability. Walk-ins may need to wait without a scheduled appointment. Walk-ins who are not already enrolled with the Montana VA are asked to please, bring a copy of their DD 214 or DD 215 for enrollment.

The Kalispell VA Clinic serves just over 4,800 local Veterans from communities such as Kalispell, Cut Bank, Plains, Seeley Lake, Eureka, northern Idaho, and Canada. Besides access to required vaccine storage freezers, another challenge to rural vaccine distribution is finding a space large enough to safely administer vaccines and staff the clinics. The event will be held at the Flathead County Fairgrounds inside the Trade Building located at the corner of Meridian Road and 2 Mile Drive. Veterans can turn at the light into the fairgrounds and park.

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.