A VA doctor administers a COVID-19 vaccine to a patient at a West Los Angeles VA Health Care facility. (Photo: CalVet)
Some 81 percent of veterans living at the West Los Angeles CalVet home were given a COVID-19 vaccination last week, according to an internal California Department of Veterans Affairs email circulated Wednesday.
The facility administered the vaccine between Jan. 9 and Jan. 11, Hugh E. Crooks Jr, chairman of the California Veterans Board, told caLegion. The email also notes that of the 81 percent, all Residential Care for the Elderly (RCFE) patients had been vaccinated.
The remaining 19 percent of residents were not at home during the vaccinations, but will receive their shots when they return, Crooks said. It should also be highlighted that the email only specifies the West Los Angeles facility, so what progress other CalVet facilities have made thus far is also unclear.
COVID-19 and the VA
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs previously announced some success with its vaccination campaign, noting most of its health care workers and long-term care patients have been vaccinated thus far with subsequent groups becoming eligible soon, if not already.
In the meantime, the VA has expanded access to its telehealth services to better connect veterans in underserved communities with medical professionals for care that doesn’t require in-person meetings.
VA Health Care workers at the West Los Angeles facility dressed in PPE equipment to limit COVID-19 transmission. (Photo: CalVet)
COVID-19 Affecting California Veterans
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected California veterans significantly since it began early last year.
Nonprofits like The American Legion have instituted many programs since then to combat negative trends such as a possibly rising veteran suicide rate with efforts like the ramped up Buddy Check program.
Both state and local government bodies have launched funds and new policies that are friendly to veteran-owned businesses. For example, in November, Orange County adopted a policy that would ensure all veterans and their spouses that apply for a county job would automatically receive an interview provided they meet the minimum requirements.
California also enacted a policy change that would allow nonprofits and veteran-owned businesses to receive grant funds to help survive through the pandemic.
Author: Christian Southards
Coming from a family with a proud military background and wanting to contribute his writing skills to a worthy cause, Christian began writing for the California American Legion in August of 2020. His father is a 25-year Army Veteran and his grandfather served in the Navy during Vietnam.
