“With two COVID-19 vaccines available for emergency use and deliveries starting at VA health care facilities, many Veterans are wondering when they can receive the vaccine.”
“Facilities will notify Veterans at high risk for contracting the virus or those who could develop serious illness about their eligibility and when they can expect to get their vaccine.”
“This is possible because of VA’s new data outreach tool.”
“The COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach for Veterans software program uses data in the VHA Support Service Center (VSSC) databases to find Veterans who are in high-risk groups. Because the vaccines are new and in high demand, quantities are limited. They’re being given to the most at-risk groups first…”
Tool ensures Veterans can be easily identified
“VSSC worked with the COVID-19 Vaccine Project National Integrated Project Team (IPT) Prioritization Group to develop the tool and ensure that Veterans could be easily identified based on age or underlying conditions.”
“The tool uses patient identifiers to show a patient’s medical conditions, age, gender, and serious and pre-existing health conditions. It also shows current disease treatments, such as chemotherapy or dialysis, and other risk factors for severe COVID-19, such as smoking or obesity.”
“A patient’s medical record can reveal a patient’s interest in receiving the vaccine. It also contains contact information so their local facility can notify them of their prioritized eligibility.”
“Veterans may be notified by their local facility using traditional mailing or electronic notification systems. These systems include VEText or My HealtheVet. Veterans also may receive calls from patient case managers…” Read the full article here.
Source: New rollout tool notifies high-risk Vets when to expect their vaccine – February 1, 2021. VAntage Point.
