COVID-19 testing and vaccination update for VMH service area

Veterans Memorial Hospital is again experiencing a very limited supply of COVID-19 testing kits and asks that anyone experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms seek one of the following testing options:

• Test Iowa Kits are available free of charge at the main reception desk at Veterans Memorial Hospital.  With these kits you collect your saliva and send the test in free of charge via UPS.
All instructions are clearly included in the kit with a phone number to call if you have any questions. There is currently just a 24-hour turn-around time for results. The Test Iowa Kits are available at the hospital from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekends and holidays.   
• Over-the-counter test kits can be purchased at all local pharmacies where supplies allow. These have immediate, rapid results; however, this is an unverified form of testing and no work excuses can be given based on these results.

The Emergency Room is always an option for anyone suffering from COVID-19 symptoms and who needs to be seen. However, patients cannot just be tested in the Emergency Room. They must be experiencing serious symptoms in order to qualify for a test.
Since Veterans Memorial Hospital is a health care facility, the CDC does require that masks are still required to be worn by every patient and visitor to the hospital.   Masks are extremely effective against the COVID-19 virus and should be worn by everyone not vaccinated at all other locations that are non-health care related.

According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, the best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. The risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 far outweighs any benefits of natural immunity. COVID-19 can have serious, life threatening complications and there is no way to know how it will affect anyone.  The COVID-19 vaccine, which is readily available locally, creates an antibody (immune system) response without having to experience sickness.

Walk-In Vaccination Clinics
Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care/Allamakee County Public Health continues to offer walk-in clinics for all doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, each Friday afternoon in January from 1:30-3:45 p.m. in the ICN Conference Room located on the southeast side of the hospital.  Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will be available.

Parking is available by the orange cones along the golf course for easy access to the vaccine location. Flu shots will also be available and can be safely administered at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Wear a mask and bring insurance and vaccination cards if coming for a second or booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Both Hartig Drug and Nightingale Pharmacy in Waukon have vaccine available for ages 12 and older. Parental/Guardian consent is required. Be sure to call ahead to schedule an appointment.

Watch the Veterans Memorial Hospital website at www.veteransmemorialhospital.com and the Veterans Memorial Hospital Facebook page for upcoming clinic details.