(File Photo: Navy)
The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System has set up two COVID-19 vaccination sites for those veterans not previously eligible, a VA representative told The California Legionnaire on Wednesday.
All veterans registered with the Los Angeles VA, under 55 and who fall outside of the “essential” category can schedule appointments for two vaccination shots during March and April by calling VA’s Downtown Los Angeles clinic at 310-268-4900. In fact, any veteran registered with the VA can get the vaccination.
The two vaccination sites are located in West Covina and El Monte and appointments are available from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. As of Wednesday, appointment dates for the West Covina location are March 6 and March 27 for the first and second shots and March 13 and April 3 for both doses of vaccine.
The first site is located at American Legion Post 790, 330 N. Azuza Ave., West Covina, 91791. The second is at the Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 10218, located at 11126 Ramona Blvd., El Monte, 91733.
Be sure to schedule your appointment first by calling the number above.
Once on site for your appointment, you will be required to be wearing a short-sleeved shirt. You will also have to wait 15-20 minutes so medical personnel can monitor your reaction to the vaccine.
The new vaccinations were made available by the VA on Tuesday, said Nancy Frudge, a medical support assistant with the VA’s Downtown Los Angeles clinic.
“There are about 12-15 available appointments per timeslot, spaced out every 15 minutes,” Fruge told The Legionnaire.
That would mean the VA could have designated upwards of 500 doses of the vaccine for previously ineligible Los Angeles-area veterans. The VA did not immediately provide a response, but this story will be updated in that event.
Author: Jared Morgan
Jared is the senior editor and web team lead for the Department of California and chair of its Media & Communications Commission. He became a member of the American Legion in 2014 when he joined Palisades Post 283 to find stories about veterans issues for a local newspaper while working as its news editor. He was soon brought in as 283's assistant adjutant and historian to help produce the post's award-winning community newspaper. Since then, Jared has used his media skills to help further the efforts of The American Legion in its advocacy of veterans and their families. Jared has also worked for several years to help revitalize the 100-year-old Santa Monica Post 123, formerly as its adjutant and as a member of its executive board, before transferring back to Post 283.
