VA steps up for community fight against COVID-19

VA’s 4th mission is to provide health care during national emergencies.

Across the country, VA employees continue to support community vaccination efforts in several states and territories, including American Samoa, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

These dedicated employees, many of them nurses, have volunteered to help administer COVID-19 vaccines to local communities as part of VA’s 4th mission effort to provide health care during national emergencies.

In Chicago, 23 VA employees worked at the Chicago O’Hare International airport as part of a Community Vaccination Center.

The vaccination site is at the Hilton Hotel at O’Hare International Airport. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until May 31, 2021.

Collaboration with federal agencies and city of Chicago

This mass vaccination site opened March 4 as part of a collaborative effort with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), VA, City of Chicago Public Health and the Chicago Department of Aviation.

The site can administer up to 2,500 vaccinations a week and has had a special emphasis on TSA and airport staff employees. The COVID-19 vaccines were provided by the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago.

VA has supported scores of communities during the COVID-19 pandemic through its 4th mission. We appreciate the opportunity to help move our communities forward in the fight against COVID-19.

Our dedicated employees have worked tirelessly to support Veterans and the country during this national emergency.

Lauren Winebrenner works for VHA’s Office of Emergency Management.