Texas A&M University-San Antonio served as a COVID-19 vaccination site for veterans on Feb. 27.
Stationed inside Patriots’ Casa, The South Texas Veterans Health Care System had 500 COVID-19 vaccines on hand. The VA prioritized getting veterans vaccinated, free of charge. If any doses remained, a registered healthcare provider of a veteran was also eligible for vaccination.
Former Staff Sgt. Roy Wilson served in the Air Force for 10 years and encourages others to get vaccinated like he did.
“We all need to take it,” Wilson said. “I think it’s the only way to slow this down.”
Veterans received the first dosage of the Moderna vaccine and will come back March 27 for the second dose.
“We as a university want to be the beacon of light and hope to the Southside,” said Richard Delgado Jr., director of Military Affairs at A&M-San Antonio. “This is one way that we’re contributing to the Southside and the Southside veterans.”
The VA contacted and registered veterans eligible to get vaccinated per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
Choosing A&M-San Antonio as a vaccination site was aimed at helping veterans on the Southside who may have difficulties getting to vaccination sites in other parts of town.
“The best thing for us to do was to bring the vaccine to where the veteran is,” said Valerie Rodriguez-Yu, STVHCS nurse executive.
VA staff took the temperatures of patients and made sure COVID-19 safety precautions were followed.
“We have enough room inside for social distancing and still be indoors in the event of it raining,” said TCF public affairs intern for STVHCS, Joseph R. Greiner.
STVHCS was pleased to partner with A&M-San Antonio, Greiner said.
“It’s a really unique way to help veterans, especially on the Southside,” he said.
Manuel Menchaca, who served as a Navy third-class boatswain’s mate for four and a half years, said the experience was quick and professional.
“I hardly waited for maybe two minutes. It was very satisfactory,” Menchaca said.
Suzann Hanvy traveled from Helotes to get her husband vaccinated. She said the drive to A&M-San Antonio was worth it.
“I just think we have to do our part,” Hanvy said.
Greiner said he hopes to host more vaccination clinics on campus.
“We’re just trying to chip away at this number,” Greiner said. “It’s a war against COVID right now.”