“Iron Mountain VA is eager to offer the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to health care personnel and community living center residents,” said John Jamison, public affairs officer. “As vaccine supplies increase, our ultimate goal is to offer COVID-19 vaccination to all veterans and employees who want to be vaccinated.”

The first vaccines will be distributed to the most high-risk veterans and health care personnel. John Moddie, a 94-year-old former prisoner of war, WWII veteran, and resident in long-term care, was the first veteran to receive the vaccine at the Iron Mountain facility.

“I am grateful to get the vaccine,” Moddie said. “It shows that we are being well taken care of.”

As vaccines become available for more groups, VA care teams will reach out to eligible veterans to schedule vaccinations. There is no need to preregister or come to a facility to sign up.

Ashley Lorenzen, clinical pharmacist, left, and Lisa Feldmann, clinical pharmacy specialist, drew the first doses of the vaccine at the Iron Mountain facility. (Department of Veterans Affairs photos)

The Moderna vaccine is administered in two doses, 28 days apart.

Even after receiving COVID-19 vaccination, employees and veterans should continue wearing face coverings, practicing physical distancing and washing hands often, health officials said.

For more information, go to www.va.gov/healthcare/.