Area veterans rolled up their sleeves to get COVID-19 vaccines — as did some spouses and caregivers — as part of a special event organized by the Veterans Affairs Eastern Kansas Health System.
The VA came to the American Legion Post 5 for a four-hour primary dose clinic using the Moderna vaccine. Kansas Senator Jerry Moran says it was important to give veterans, spouses and caregivers the chance to get vaccinated after recent clinics elsewhere.
Close to 20 veterans, spouses and caregivers got primary doses of the Moderna vaccine during Wednesday’s clinic. The revaccination clinic will take place at the Legion. The date for that has not been publicly announced.
Nurse Laura Myher says vaccinating veterans individually helps to protect the community as a whole.
This is part of a bigger push recently to get area veterans care, both for the immediate needs through COVID-19 and other issues. Plans for an Accessing Telehealth through Local Area Stations, or ATLAS, pod at the Legion are still formulating. Moran says CrossWinds Counseling and Wellness has also been working to increase access to mental wellness care for veterans, in part to reduce cases of suicide among the military community.
