The Department of Veterans Affairs will prioritize black, Hispanic, and Native American veterans for receiving COVID-19 vaccines.
“We’re … considering the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on racial and ethnicity minority groups as we plan for how to offer COVID-19 vaccines to veterans,” the VA said in a document released last week.
Black veterans have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, accounting for 16% of cases and 22% of deaths in the VA system while only accounting for 12% of the veteran population in the country, according to Stars and Stripes. White veterans account for 60% of cases and 61% of deaths while comprising 77% of the veteran population.
In addition to offering the vaccine to minority veterans first, the VA will also prioritize those at greater risk of spreading the virus or at risk of becoming severely ill from it, as well as patients at higher risk, such as elderly veterans or those with preexisting health issues.
The VA said that the phased rollout is a result of the department having a limited amount of the vaccine shortly after its FDA approval. The agency also indicated it would be offering the vaccine to its front-line staff, who make up the largest healthcare system in the country, at over 350,000 workers.
The agency submitted its plan to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in October and said it is working with the CDC on administering the doses.
“We’re working with the CDC and other federal partners to develop a phased plan that will help us do the most good for the most people,” the VA document said.
The VA said that as more doses of the vaccine become available, all 9 million veterans enrolled in VA healthcare will be eligible to receive it free of charge and with no copayment. It will only be available at VA medical centers, not the community-based outpatient clinics.
“VA will be releasing its nationwide vaccine distribution plan soon,” VA press secretary Christina Noel said. “Under this plan, veterans and VA employees who indicate a desire to be vaccinated will receive a vaccine once it is authorized and available, following the prioritization guidance from CDC and VA.”
The VA did not immediately respond to a Washington Examiner request for comment.
The Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved emergency use authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
The U.S. government agreed to purchase 100 million doses of the vaccine, some of which are already being distributed across the country.
“Make no mistake. Distribution has begun,” said Gen. Gustave Perna, the chief operating officer for the Defense Department’s Operation Warp Speed. “Right now, boxes are being packed and loaded with vaccine with emphasis on quality control.”
