By Janet Smith
Colleton Veterans Affairs
On February 1, 2021, the VA opened a portion of the North Charleston Out-patient Clinic for COVID-19 vaccinations. This new, state-of-the art 75,000 sq. ft. facility is located at 6450 Rivers Avenue in North Charleston. The clinic will be used temporarily to meet the demands for veterans who want to get the vaccine.
Veterans 65 years-old and enrolled for VA health care are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The clinic will be able to vaccinate up to 5,000 Veterans per week, dependent on the availability of vaccines.
Veterans who are eligible for the vaccine, please call 843-789-6900 to schedule an appointment. The appointment line will be available Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
The VA is administering both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. For those Veterans who have already received the first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, you should return 28 days to that same location for your second dose. Veterans can locate the date of their dose on the Vaccination Card. Veterans who have already been contacted by the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center and have a scheduled a COVID-19 vaccine appointment should keep that appointment.
For additional information, you may call the VA’s customer care line at (888) 878-6884 or 843-789-7008 for enrollment.
Agent Orange addressed in new federal law
Additionally, on January 1, 2020, the William M. Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 was signed into law. This new federal law adds three diseases to the list of conditions that are associated with exposure to Agent Orange herbicides. The new conditions are: Bladder Cancer, Hypothyroidism, and Parkinsonism or Parkinson-like symptoms.
Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam between January 9, 1962 – May 7, 1975, or in a unit near the Korean demilitarized zone between September 1, 1967 – August 31, 1971, are presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange.
The Colleton County Department of Veterans Affairs is currently accepting claims; however, decisions are currently being deferred pending implementation of the final procedural regulations.
For claims and questions, please contact the Colleton County Veterans Affairs Office at (843) 549-1412.
