According to Florida Rep. Charlie Crist (D), the embattled Veteran's Affairs Administration continues to turn away veterans between the ages of 65-71 at it's hospitals and clinics, who are seeking the COVID-19 vaccine.
In response to the unacceptable turning away of veterans seeking to inoculate themselves from the deadly virus, Rep. Crist filed his Vaccines for Veterans Act last month. Crist’s measure would expand. the eligibility of veterans to receive the vaccine.
“Vets – including many Vietnam veterans aged 65-74 – are being turned away for coronavirus vaccine at the VA. That’s not right!” stated Rep. Charlie Crist
In a past press release from his legislative office, the VA will only “vaccinate veterans who would normally be eligible for VA health care,” adding that these federal policies only includes “low-income veterans and those with a service-connected disability.”
“Even veterans with a non-service-connected disability or high risk COVID-19 co-morbidity do not qualify under the current policy,” the released states.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) has implemented a “Seniors First” vaccination initiative, a move that has seen thousands of elderly Floridians, many over the age of 75-years-old, receive the vaccine.
Today we announced the opening of a COVID-19 vaccination site in Pinellas Park that will provide 3,000 vaccines to seniors age 65 and older over the next three days. My administration remains committed to finding and fulfilling needs as quickly as possible. #SeniorsFirst pic.twitter.com/aokNXsxh6T
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) February 18, 2021
Gov. Ron DeSantis was recently in Rep. Crist’s backyard announcing that his administration was opening another 65 and older “COVID-19 vaccination site” in the city of Pinellas Park.
The Veterans Affairs’ criteria for receiving the virus is as follows:
Veterans who already receive care at VA
Many VA health facilities now offer COVID-19 vaccines to Veterans who meet these 2 criteria:
- The Veteran already receives care at VA, and
- The Veteran is at least 75 years old or has health problems that increase risk for severe illness from COVID-19. We base risk on VA and CDC COVID-19 risk criteria.
