Veterans who receive care at VA Hospital eligible for vaccine, regardless of age

Gainesville, Fla — The North Florida, South Georgia VA announced no appointments are needed this week for veterans to receive the vaccine.

From 8am-2pm veterans can show up to The Malcolm Randall VA Medical Center without an appointment, and now they’ve expanded their eligibility requirements to include all veterans, regardless of age.

At just 43 years old, Fernando Valentin received his fist dose of the Pfizer vaccine. “I feel happy now, he said, I can see my my family."

Valentin said he got the vaccine for his family. “I haven’t seen my family for over a year because of corona," he said.

Valentin said the whole process today took about 30 minutes, and he’s scheduled to receive his second dose the end of this month.

So far over 44,000 veterans have been vaccinated at Malcolm Randall VA Medical Center. The "no-appointment" clinics will continue this week from 8am-2pm. Veterans who currently receive care at the VA hospitals can receive the dose at the Malcolm Randall VA Medical Center or head out to Lake City for the walkup clinic.

Missed the "no-appointment" clinic? Call 352-548-6000 ext 103755 to schedule an appointment.