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North Florida— Starting Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, the North Florida/ South Georgia Veterans Health System (NF/SGVHS) will begin offering Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine booster shots under Emergency Use Authorization.

This decision follows the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) authorization and CDC recommendation for a booster dose of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to:

  • People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series

  

  • People aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series
  • People aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risk
  • People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks

“Our facility knows that fighting the COVID-19 pandemic is truly a team effort and we will continue to make sure that we are doing all we can to protect Veterans, staff and the North Florida/South Georgia community against COVID-19,” said James Waller, MD, NF/SGVHS Deputy Chief of Staff and COVID-19 Vaccine Coordinator. “Our staff is preparing to offer Pfizer-BioNTech booster shots to those at highest risk, following the FDA and CDC recommendations.”

The safety and care of Veterans is VA’s top priority, as well as ensuring the health and welfare of its workforce. NF/SGVHS sites will begin offering the Pfizer-BioNTech booster vaccines starting Wednesday, September 29, 2021, to Veterans and employees, first prioritizing those who are 65 years and older, residents of long-term care facilities, and people aged 50-64 years with underlying conditions. VA will also offer the booster to Veterans, their spouses, caregivers and CHAMPVA recipients under the authority of the SAVE LIVES Act, as supply and capacity permits.The Save Lives Act which was signed into law in March 2021expanded VA’s authority to offer vaccine to include Veterans not traditionally eligible for VHA care, and others including spouses and caregivers of Veterans.

“We currently have four sites within our health system that will be administering COVID-19 Pfizer-BioNTech Booster shots,” stated Waller.Individuals that meet current criteria can receive the Pfizer-BioNTech booster vaccine by calling 352-548-6000 ext. 103755 to schedule an appointment or by attending a no appointment needed vaccination clinic at one of the following sites:

COVID-19 Pfizer-BioNTech Booster Clinic Locations

Location 

Additional Information  

Malcom Randall VAMC 
1601 SW Archer Road 
Gainesville, FL 32608 

No Appointment Needed 
 
1. Primary Care Waiting Room (located on the first floor near Valet Parking) Monday- Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 

2. Independence Parking Garage Monday- Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 

3. Gainesville Auditorium (Near Canteen) Monday- Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  

American Legion Post #57 (Lake City) 2602 SW Main Blvd. Lake City  

No Appointment Needed  
Monday- Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 

The Villages Outpatient Clinic
8900 Southeast 165th Mulberry Lane 
The Villages, FL 32162-5884 

Appointment Preferred (near CAU) 
Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. 

Timuquana Market Place 
5150 Timuquana Road
Suite 6,  
Jacksonville, FL 32210 

No Appointment Needed 
Monday- Friday 8:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.  
 

Individuals who meet current criteria for the Pfizer- BioNTech Booster will need to bring their COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card with them.

CDC advises that people can get both the COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine at the same time.“Veterans can also obtain their flu shot at any of the sites of care currently offering the Pfizer-BioNTech Booster shot during the same visit,” said Waller.Currently, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is the only booster shot authorized by the FDA and recommended by the CDC. Reviews of new data are in the process of being conducted to determine whether and when a booster might be recommended for recipients of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson (J&J)/Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine(s). NF/SGVHS will plan to offer boosters of those vaccines if/when they become authorized and recommended.For more information, visit:  VA’s Questions webpage for questions and answers regarding COVID-19 vaccine.

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