VA Pacific Islands Health Care System

Veterans Affairs Pacific Islands Health Care System

VAPIHCS Veterans,

Many of you may have seen the recent news reports from across the country about the recent increase of crimes and racial discrimination against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. It’s been heartbreaking for me to read the accounts from people in our communities who were either harassed, discriminated against or attacked, simply because of their race

On Jan. 26, President Biden published a memo, “Memorandum Condemning and Combating Racism, Xenophobia, and Intolerance Against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States,” on this topic that states:

Despite these increasing acts of intolerance, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made our Nation more secure during the COVID-19 pandemic and throughout our history. An estimated 2 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have served on the front lines of this crisis as healthcare providers, as first responders, and in other essential roles. The Federal Government should combat racism, xenophobia, and intolerance against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and should work to ensure that all members of AAPI communities — no matter their background, the language they speak, or their religious beliefs — are treated with dignity and equity.

Many of our Veterans, employees, volunteers, friends and families, neighbors and elected representatives are of Asian American and Pacific Islander descent. As the Health Care System Director, I want to assure you that discrimination or harassment of any kind against Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders or any other minority group will not be tolerated at the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System. I also want to assure you that our Executive Leadership Team and I are working on identifying opportunities to help promote diversity and inclusion at all our sites of care. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace and health care organization that has the privilege to employ and care for thousands of America’s Veterans. Diversity in our workforce is a strength. Our Veterans and their loved ones, and all who walk through our doors deserve to be treated with the utmost respect and dignity.

I want to assure everyone that these types of issues are important for us to address as One Team, One Ohana.

If you or someone you know has been harassed at a VAPIHCS facility, below are a few resources you can reach out to for support:

1. Contact the VA Office of Inspector General at 1-800-488-8244.
2. Contact the VA Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection at 1-855-429-6669 or vaaccountabilityteam@va.gov.

VHA continues to expand vaccination efforts for Veterans.

• This week VAPIHCS will pass the 10K mark in vaccine doses administered, we are currently providing to Veterans who are eligible for VA care. A big thank you to all of you who are working to make this all happen!
• As more vaccine becomes available, VAMC facilities continue to expand the priority lists for Veterans and caregivers, with some inviting all enrolled Veterans to their immunization clinics.

VHA will be implementing the Veteran-related aspects of the American Rescue Plan.

• Public Law 117-2, the $1.9 trillion coronavirus economic relief package, was signed into law by President Biden on March 11. It ensures Veterans have continued access to quality health care and protections against COVID-19.
• $17 billion is allocated in support of VA’s nationwide response to the pandemic and the law provides additional significant economic support to Veterans (press release).

VA celebrates Women’s History Month.

• Our own Sedra Graves has been highlighted this month on her contributions
Sedra Graves: Giving back through research - VAntage Point

Mass Vaccine Event
VAPIHCS will be hosting a mass COVID Vaccine distribution Call to secure an appointment 1-800-214-1306

SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2021

WHO: All eligible Veterans who are registered for VA Health Care
WHAT: Health Care Providers will be providing COVID-19 Vaccines to registered Veterans
WHERE: Sparks M. Matsunaga VA Medical Center
Ambulatory Care Center (ACC)
459 Patterson Road Honolulu, Hawaii 96819

WHEN: Saturday, MARCH 20, 2021
TIME: 8 a.m. -12 noon Johnson & Johnson vaccine
12 Noon -4 p.m. Moderna vaccine

HOW: Call to secure an appointment or check eligibility 1-800-214-1306
OR
Walk-in, first come first serve basis until 3 p.m.

Currently, we are vaccinating all our Veterans who are eligible for VA health care. Appointments are made by calling 1-800-214-1306, and are available Monday- Fridays until 8 p.m. and Saturdays until 4 p.m. Currently we have vaccinated more than 9K people.

COVID Update

To date VAPIHCS has vaccinated: 9741
1116 Employees
8625 Veterans

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Q: I had dose 1 Moderna and I had side effects. What side effects mean I should not get dose 2?
A: If you had a severe allergy immediately (generally within 4 hours) to dose 1 you should not receive dose 2. A severe allergy is any of the following within about 4 hours of the vaccine: hives or itching; throat tightness or itching; wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of lips, face, tongue or throat; stomach cramps, diarrhea, and/or vomiting.

Q: What should I do if I had one of these immediately following the vaccine?
A: If you are an employee, contact Employee Health and your Primary care Provider. If you are a Veteran, contact the Clinical Contact Center.

Q: Will I get a different vaccine if I had a severe immediate allergic reaction to Dose 1 Moderna?
A: The CDC recommends an Allergy assessment, to include recommendations for getting another form of the COVID vaccine. Contact your Primary Care Provider to request an Allergy consult if you had a severe immediate allergic reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine.

Q: I had other side effects to dose 1 of Moderna. Should I switch to a different vaccine?
A: At this time, the CDC does not recommend switching and mixing vaccine types unless you have a contraindication to Moderna, which includes immediate severe allergy to mRNA vaccines or allergy to Polyethylene Glycol. Side effects like arm pain, low grade fever, fatigue, headache and other symptoms may be seen with all COVID vaccines. However, please contact your Primary Care Provider or the Clinical Contact Center for guidance and so we can assist you.

Q: I am late for dose 2 of Moderna. What do I do?
A: The CDC recommends getting dose 2 Moderna within 6 weeks from dose 1. The clinical studies of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines did not study longer dosing schedules. The CDC does not have specific guidance if you are over 6 weeks late. However, given immune response to other vaccines as a guide, at this point we recommend completing the vaccine series you started. We will update this recommendation if more recommendations come out.

Keep up the 3W’s!
It’s important for everyone to continue using all the tools available to help stop this pandemic, even after vaccination.

Veterans and employees should continue to:

• Wear a face covering
• Watch your distance (stay 6 feet apart)
• Wash hands frequently

When you can get the COVID-19 vaccine, I hope you do—I know I’m glad to have received mine. It’s our best shot at beating this virus, looking out for one another, and getting back to some of the things we miss. Getting vaccinated will save lives –and that life could be yours.

It is our honor to provide you with safe, compassionate and quality care!

One Team, One Ohana!
Adam M. Robinson, Jr., MD, MBA, CPE
Director, VA Pacific Islands Health Care System
VADM, MC, USN, (RET)
36th Surgeon General, USN



Stay Informed

• Website: https://hawaii.va.gov – submit your email to get our updates
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VAPacificIslands 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/va_pacific_islands/ 
• VAPIHCS USAJOBS: https://www.hawaii.va.gov/careers/index.asp 
• Weekly Radio VA Updates:
  • Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m. on AM830, KHVH with Rick Hamada
  • Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. on AM690, The Answer - Aligned with Veterans hour with Mike Buck