Masks, Social Distancing Still Required at St. Cloud VA

(KNSI) – Mask wearing and other COVID-19 protocols remain in place at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs St. Cloud VA Medical Center.

Walk-in services are still minimal, and the VA requires visitors to be screened, wear a mask, social distance, and scheduled appointments. Minnesota ended its mask mandate in May.

St. Cloud VA Public Affairs Officer Barry Venable says he doesn’t know when the restrictions will be lifted. Two factors influence that decision, the state of the disease in the nation, Minnesota, the counties the VA serves, and vaccination rates.

Venable says vaccinations at the VA have slowed down considerably.

“I almost want to say the word stagnated. Today, for example, we have eight appointments scheduled where veterans are receiving vaccines and that’s a far cry from the numbers that we were giving early on. We continue to offer vaccines but the the level of uptake is not quite as high.”

He says veterans over the age of 65 got the message and got vaccinated.

“They’ve understood their obligation to others. And that’s a primary factor of military service which separates veterans from the general population. They understand that the needs of the many are important and need to be considered when pursuing your individual actions, and our older veterans particularly responded magnificently. We have some of the highest vaccination rates compared to other VA populations in our older population than anyone else in the nation.”

But getting veterans and their families under the age of 65 vaccinated has been a struggle.

“Being young and healthy doesn’t protect you from a COVID infection, nor from spreading it to those that you care about. One of the great obstacles we’ve encountered is those who’ve already had COVID-19 and believe they have natural immunity. Well, they may but we don’t know how long that lasts.”

He says while the length of time the COVID vaccine lasts is still being researched, there’s data that shows the vaccine is the best protection.

“What we do know is that vaccination can help ensure that they don’t get it again. And, you know, what we all know is that vaccines are almost 100% effective at preventing hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19. So we would continue to encourage veterans to get their vaccine.”

Vets, caregivers, and spouses can get vaccinated at the VA by making an appointment or asking for one during another appointment.

On Friday, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced he was closing St. Cloud’s and all other mass vaccination sites in the state but one at the Mall of America.

The St. Cloud VA will still administer COVID-19 vaccines after the mass vaccination site at the River’s Edge Convention Center closes on August 7th.

Between now and then, the convention center will only be giving people’s second shot of the Moderna vaccine.

The St. Cloud VA is planning this season’s flu vaccination campaign and will have more information next month.

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