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PVA's Medical Services team plays a crucial part in making sure the Veterans we serve receive excellence in healthcare. The team routinely surveys all VA Spinal Cord Injury Units and Long Term Care Centers across the United States, and collaborates with each site's SCI/D Team and the VA Central Office Spinal Cord Injury and Disease (SCI/D) Program to advance program development and provide advocacy. The team is especially vigilant to safety precautions and restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, as people living with SCI/D experience increased risk from the virus and are therefore more vulnerable to complications and severe illness.

PVA is issuing the following information and guidance related to ongoing precautions for COVID-19. Read more below, and get information about the Medical Services Team on our website.

Get the Vaccine

The VA Healthcare System strongly recommends that Veterans, as well as their family members and caregivers, get vaccinated and receive boosters when eligible. Men and women with SCI/D are at increased risk of developing severe symptoms from COVID-19, especially those with decreased lung capacity. Additional risk factors for poor outcomes from COVID-19 include obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

A COVID-19 vaccine helps prevent you from getting COVID-19 or becoming seriously ill from the infection. The vaccination also helps reduce the chance of spreading the virus to others. Family members can help keep their loved one with SCI/D safe from severe COVID complications by getting vaccinated.

A vaccinated person still has some risk for contracting COVID-19.

Know the Symptoms
Treatments
Seek Early Treatment
Additional Information