Bay Pines, Fla. — Bay Pines VA Healthcare System announced today it is providing COVID-19 vaccinations to anyone who served in the military, and their caregivers and spouses, and some other beneficiaries under the authority granted by the SAVE LIVES Act, signed by President Joe Biden March 24, 2021.

The expanded authority depends on readily available COVID-19 vaccine supply and requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to continue to prioritize Veterans enrolled in VA care.

“Since the start of the pandemic, Bay Pines has been focused on vaccinating as many Veterans as possible, and we are excited to multiply our efforts to thanks to the SAVE LIVES Act,” said Paul Russo, director and CEO of the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System. “We’re now offering vaccine on a walk-in basis, based on supply, at all of our healthcare facilities and added multiple offsite clinics to reach rural and underserved communities.”

Bay Pines VA Healthcare System covers community clinics located in Bradenton, Naples, Palm Harbor, Port Charlotte, Sarasota, and St. Petersburg, in addition to the C.W. Bill Young Medical Center in Bay Pines and Lee County VA Healthcare Center in Cape Coral. Appointments are available, or walk-in’s will be offered between the hours of 9:00a.m. to 2:00p.m., at each location. Documentation is not required.

Bay Pines VA Healthcare System outreach efforts to rural and underserved communities are open to all Veterans who receive healthcare and those eligible under the SAVE LIVES Act. Each clinic will offer appointment and/or walk-in availability. Documentation is not required. Details are as follows:

* April 9, 10:00a.m.-2:00p.m.: VFW Sarasota Sunshine Post 3233 (124 S. Tuttle Ave., Sarasota, FL 34237)

* April 12, 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m.: American Legion Bradenton Kirby Stewart Post 24 (2000 75th St. W, Bradenton, FL, 34209)

* April 13, 10:00a.m.-2:00p.m.: DayStar Life Center (1055 28th St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33712

* April 17, 12:00p.m.-3:00p.m.: American Legion St. Pete Andy Anderson Post 125 (6440 5th Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33707)

* April 24, 9:00a.m.-2:00p.m.: Manatee County Public Safety Complex Drive Thru (2101 47th Terrace E, Bradenton, FL 34203)

* May 15, 9:00a.m.-2:00p.m.: Manatee County Public Safety Complex Drive Thru (2101 47th Terrace E, Bradenton, FL 34203)

Veterans can call our COVID-19 Call Center at (727) 395-2400 for more information. For more information on Bay Pines VA COVID-19 vaccine efforts, visit our website.

The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System is one of the nation’s largest tertiary care and leading VA healthcare systems caring for nearly 120,000 Veterans residing across ten counties in the Southwest region of Florida. Bay Pines VA HCS includes nine facilities to include the C.W. Bill Young Medical Center located in Bay Pines, the Lee County VA Healthcare Center located in Cape Coral, and seven outpatient clinics located in Bradenton, Naples, Palm Harbor, Port Charlotte, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, and Sebring. We employ over 4,500 healthcare professionals and the healthcare system is accredited by The Joint Commission, Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and many other nationally recognized accrediting organizations.