Golden Opportunity: COVID-19 Vaccine - VA Loma Linda Healthcare System
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VA Loma Linda Healthcare System

 

Golden Opportunity: COVID-19 Vaccine

Father and son Veterans receive COVID-19 vaccine

Veterans Edward Patrick Golden, left, and his father Edward John Golden received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at VA Loma Linda on Jan. 15th, 2021.

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

A 100-year-old World War II Veteran and his son, a Vietnam War Veteran, seized a golden opportunity when they were offered the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at VA Loma Linda, Calif.

Veterans Edward John Golden and Edward Patrick Golden are both Purple Heart recipients. Edward John Golden served in France during World War II with the 28th Infantry Division, U.S. Army National Guard. His son Edward Patrick Golden served in the Vietnam War as a medic with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, U.S. Army.

The father and son both received their first dose of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at VA Loma Linda on Jan. 15th, 2021. The duo hail from Wisconsin and live several months of the year in southern California, where they receive medical care at VA Loma Linda. The Goldens said they feel fortunate to get the vaccine and urge all Veterans to act quickly as soon as the COVID-19 vaccine is available to them. They are hopeful the vaccine is the light at the end of this pandemic.

COVID-19 Vaccines at VA

VA Loma Linda received a limited initial supply of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines following the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) emergency authorization. VA worked with the CDC and other federal partners to develop a phased plan to do the most good for the most people with initial vaccine supplies.

VA is vaccinating Veterans based on the CDC’s risk-stratification guidance. Veterans living in the Community Living Center (CLC) were first to receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at VA Loma Linda on Dec. 23rd, 2020, and they’ll get their second dose of vaccine on Jan. 20th, 2021. Healthcare workers at VA were also in the first round of vaccinations. Vaccinating our VA health care personnel helps us continue providing care for Veterans.

VA Loma Linda Vaccination Status

VA Loma Linda is currently offering Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to eligible enrolled Veterans ages 75 years and over, as well as hemodialysis and chemotherapy patients.

The team at VA Loma Linda is working hard to contact Veterans and schedule vaccinations as quickly as possible. To reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19, Veterans should not come into a VA facility looking to receive a vaccine, nor to schedule a vaccine appointment. Care teams will contact Veterans when a vaccine is available, based on their personal risk factors and vaccine availability. Veterans can sign up to get updated information at this site.

VA’s ultimate goal is to offer the vaccine to all Veterans and employees who want to be vaccinated.

COVID-19 Vaccines in California

California residents ages 65 and over are now eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Vaccines - Coronavirus COVID-19 Response (ca.gov)

Riverside County: https://www.ruhealth.org/covid-19-vaccine

San Bernardino County: https://sbcovid19.com/vaccine/

Additional Resources

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