American Legion of Montana Partners with MTVAHCS to bring COVID-19 vaccines to veterans and their families

Helena - The pandemic has highlighted the power of partnerships and this Friday, Veterans and their families and caregivers are invited to receive a COVID-19 vaccine from Montana VA Health Care System at the American Legion of Montana's Department Convention.  

 "I encourage all attendees and their families to take advantage of the MTVAHCS vaccine clinic this Friday," said American Legion Department of Montana Commander Jeff Nelson. "If you have a Veteran friend who has not yet received their vaccine, give them a call and invite them to stop in and roll up their sleeve. We all need to help protect each other to end this pandemic." 

 All Veterans (enrolled and unenrolled), their spouses, their caregivers, and dependents who are age 18 or over can receive a free walk-in COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, June 25 from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Delta Hotels Helena Colonial (2301 Colonial Drive). No appointments are necessary. 

 "This pandemic has impacted every Montanan and taken the lives of 1,657 loved ones. The COVID-19 vaccines are our path to ending this pandemic," said MTVAHCS Executive Director, Dr. Judy Hayman. "We are grateful for Commander Jeff Nelson and the American Legion for hosting the vaccine clinic and helping Montana Veterans and their families receive these lifesaving vaccines." 

Under the SAVE Lives Act (also known as H.R. 1276), which was signed into law on March 23, the VA's legal authority to provide COVID-19 vaccines expanded to include all Veterans, regardless of their VA health care enrollment status, as well as Veteran spouses, caregivers, and some dependents and beneficiaries.  

 The MTVAHCS serves over 47,000 enrolled Veterans across Montana-an area roughly 147,000 square miles in size. Veterans are cared for by a staff of 1,400 at 17 sites of care across the state.  One third of Montana VA employees are Veterans.   

Veterans can follow COVID-19 vaccination updates at MTVAHCS's webpage, via email (sign up here), Facebook (@VAMontana), or Twitter (@VAMontanaHCS). 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. Any Veteran who has received a COVID-19 vaccine from a community (non VA) provider is encouraged to notify their MTVAHCS healthcare team to have their records updated.