Enrolled veterans of all ages in metro Phoenix, as well in southern and northern Arizona, can now get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Previously, veterans had to meet eligibility requirements under state and county guidelines. 

The Phoenix VA Health Care System announced the opening of four vaccination sites in the Valley with the goal of getting all enrolled veterans vaccinated, according to Phoenix VA associate director Dr. Leslie Lockridge.

As part of efforts to vaccinate every eligible veteran who wants to be vaccinated, the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System is also offering the COVID-19 vaccine to all enrolled veterans regardless of age, the system said in a statement Monday. To avoid wait times, veterans can opt in online and will be contacted by a VA employee. 

The Northern Arizona VA Health Care System also is offering the vaccine to veterans regardless of age. To sign up, veterans can call 928-717-7406 to schedule an appointment. 

The opening of these sites comes off of the heels of the House unanimously passing the VA Vaccine Act, which would give the Department of Veterans Affairs the ability to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to all veterans, including those not enrolled in the VA healthcare system, and their caregivers.

“No one who served this country honorably should be turned away,” Rep. Greg Stanton said in a tweet about the legislation, which now needs Senate approval. 

Army veteran receives first dose

David Lindstrom, 32, a Phoenix resident who served in the U.S. Army, was vaccinated Tuesday at the Carl T. Hayden Veterans’ Administration Medical Center at Indian School Road and Seventh Street because of the policy.

“I think it’s pretty good,” Lindstrom said about the process of getting vaccinated. “It was very quick.”

When getting his first dose, Lindstrom was at the center for around 35 minutes total, which includes the 15-minute waiting period to make sure he wasn’t having a bad reaction afterward, Lindstrom said.

He got the vaccination information from a friend who saw a Reddit post about it and called to make an appointment last Friday, he said.

Associate Director Lockridge talked about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the veteran community in Arizona. 

“It has had a major impact on Arizona veterans and us as a community in general. Vaccinating veterans puts us one step closer to keeping all of our veterans safe and returning us to a state of normal,” Lockridge said.

Lockridge estimates that out of the 100,000-plus enrolled veterans in Phoenix VA, roughly 35,000 have received at least one vaccination dose already.

How to get the vaccine through the Phoenix VA 

Enrolled veterans of all ages can sign up for appointments to get the COVID-19 vaccine at these sites:

• 650 East Indian School Road, Phoenix; inside the hospital, Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-noon
• 13985 West Grand Ave., Suite 105, Surprise; inside the clinic, Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
• 3285 South Val Vista Drive, Gilbert; drive-thru, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• 9250 West Thomas Road, Phoenix; drive-thru, appointments available March 20-21, 27-28, and April 3. 

Lockridge said that the opening of these sites is very meaningful for accomplishing the Phoenix VA’s goal of vaccinating 100% of enrolled Veterans. 

“It just means we’re that much closer to realizing that goal,” Lockridge said. 

In addition to expanding age eligibility, Lockridge also hopes to expand site hours soon.

Lockridge said that veterans who are not enrolled in Phoenix VA can do so online. She also mentioned that Phoenix VA is planning on ordering a supply of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which requires only one dose, for veterans who live in rural or isolated areas. 

Reporter Delaney White contributed to this article.

Reach the reporter Connor Van Ligten at [email protected] or on Twitter @Connor_VL.

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