I am an Air Force veteran, 75 years old. I cannot get the covid vaccine because I have never used the military health network. Why can't?

A1C Elaine Gabauer — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 10:02:01 -0500

I have always used my own insurance. Why can't I get the covid vaccine?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2021 10:49 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 10:49:27 -0500

A1C Elaine Gabauer Welcome to RallyPoint. Below is the link to enroll for VA health care. You have to be enrolled before you can request the vaccine and then it is according to the priority list that they have. I am in your age group and have received my first shot through the county. Have you applied via your state or county websites?

https://www.va.gov/health-care/how-to-apply/

How to apply for VA health care | Veterans Affairs

Find out what documents you'll need to apply for VA health care benefits. Get instructions for completing your VA health care enrollment online or by phone, fax, or mail.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Feb 18 at 2021 11:03 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 11:03:49 -0500

You said military health network, but you tagged VA. The two are completely separate, which are you referring to?
Military Health network is open to AD, active guard and reserve, retirees, and their families. Under some circumstances, guard and reserve when not drilling or activated. If you do not fall into one of those categories, then that is why you cannot use the military health network.

VA is open to most veterans, in theory, however there is a long complex set of priorities for treatment. If you are near the bottom of the priority list, treatment may be difficult to get because higher priority vets are using up all of the resources.
Here is the link for eligibility: https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/
The basic requirement is 24 months of active service and an honorable discharge.

In addition to all of that, you have to apply to the VA for care, they do not generally just provide care to folks walking in off the street.

Eligibility for VA health care | Veterans Affairs

Review VA health care eligibility criteria. Find out if you qualify for VA health care, how VA priority groups may affect you, and how to apply.

Response by SFC Chuck Martinez made Feb 18 at 2021 1:10 PM

SFC Chuck Martinez — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 13:10:55 -0500

Elaine, all you really have to do, is go to your VA hospital in your state with your DD214 and apply for VA benefits. It's that easy. Good idea to take your medical records with you, if you have them!

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Feb 18 at 2021 1:27 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 13:27:39 -0500

A bit confusing. The military health network generally refers to Tricare/Humana. As an A1C, unless you were medically retired you would not have qualified after service. If you are referring to VA benefits, they would be based on some sort of military related disability as identified with your records and by the VA. You can apply at anytime as long as you have records of your service and the cause for your disability being service connected. That does take some time. It would be query your local community for who is issuing the vaccine and have it administered there. You should be categorized as 1A based on your age.

Response by SGT Randall Smith made Feb 18 at 2021 3:24 PM

SGT Randall Smith — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 15:24:56 -0500

Your state or county is probably giving the shots and there is no charge. I am 100% disabled with the VA. They have the shots but I have no way to get there, the VA hospital is aprox. 75 miles away.

Response by SMSgt Bob W. made Feb 18 at 2021 11:06 PM

SMSgt Bob W. — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 23:06:19 -0500

Elaine, active duty first, the rest as the vaccine becomes available. Now, if you talking VA, in my area of the country, they have the vaccine, HOWEVER, it is by appointment only. At 75, you are under medicare--which is paying for the vaccination. Call your doctor, local hospital or local health department to find out about how to get an appointment.

Response by SSgt Ron Simpson made Feb 20 at 2021 12:17 PM

SSgt Ron Simpson — Sat, 20 Feb 2021 12:17:15 -0500

Maybe it depends on your state. My wife and I got ours through our local hospital. All we had to do was verify the contact info in our profile. My wide got selected the next day and got her second Pfizer this past week. I waited for notification for three weeks and then started to call the appointment number we found (even though the website said not to call but wait for a scheduling email). We had three phones going. I called 46 times without getting thru. My got thru on her third try and waited in the queue for two hours before she could schedule me.
We also signed up through 4 pharmacies and two other hospitals. I think this works best if you are agressive. I get my second shot 3/16.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Feb 20 at 2021 4:55 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Sat, 20 Feb 2021 16:55:46 -0500

Have you contacted theVA. They called me recently. I am 76

Response by SP5 Wilbert Jennings made Feb 20 at 2021 11:10 PM

SP5 Wilbert Jennings — Sat, 20 Feb 2021 23:10:09 -0500

I believe you have to register as a patient for your Health Care provider. Why would you take that vaccine?