VA Begins Next Phase of Combat Vet Outreach

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced May 30th it has completed making calls to veterans potentially identified as being ill or injured from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF-OIF), and will immediately begin targeting over 500,000 OEF-OIF veterans who have been discharged from active duty but have not contacted VA for health care.

"We promised to reach out to every OEF and OIF veteran to let them know we are here for them -- and we are making real progress in doing so," said Dr. James B. Peake, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Read news release

Minneapolis Distributes More than 24,000 Flu Shots to Staff, Vets
Flu shots again took center stage this fall at the Medical Center and CBOCs.  One half of the vaccine supply or 12,000 doses arrived in late September.  These doses were distributed to inpatient wards, outpatient clinics, Occupational Health (OH) and CBOCs, for immediate use.

The second half arrived in early October. The veteran walk-in flu shot clinic, in the first floor flag atrium, ran from Oct. 22 to Dec. 7. OH gave vaccines to employees from the roving vaccination cart and on a walk- in basis in OH.  Last year, 17,000 flu shots were given to employees and veterans. This year, over 24,000 shots have been given, thus far.  84% of all employees got flu shots.

Our success can be attributed, in part, to the early arrival of the vaccine and immediate inpatient and clinic access.  Flu shots were given during hospitalizations and clinic appointments. Other strategies included going directly to large groups of employees at grand rounds, staff meetings and the employee wellness expo. Flu shots are still available on inpatient units, in outpatient clinics and from OH. Influenza site.