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Mar 05, 2021

NW Kan. veterans receive Janssen COVID vaccine at Hays clinic

Posted Mar 05, 2021 2:01 PM
Joe Twitchell, a resident of Great Bend and Vietnam-era Veteran, is receives the single-dose Janssen COVID-19 vaccine from registered nurse Jennifer Neil at the Robert J. Dole VA community-based outpatient clinic (CBOC) in Hays, KS. Twitchell was the first Veteran to receive the newly authorized vaccine from the Dole VA.
Joe Twitchell, a resident of Great Bend and Vietnam-era Veteran, is receives the single-dose Janssen COVID-19 vaccine from registered nurse Jennifer Neil at the Robert J. Dole VA community-based outpatient clinic (CBOC) in Hays, KS. Twitchell was the first Veteran to receive the newly authorized vaccine from the Dole VA.

Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center

The Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center vaccinated 70 veterans against COVID-19 Thursday at its outpatient clinic in Hays. Veterans traveled from Russell, Great Bend and Colby — among other towns — to receive the vaccine. Since they were vaccinated with the recently authorized, single-dose Janssen vaccine, they won’t have to make the trip again.

Despite living in Great Bend, an hour away from Hays, Joe Twitchell made his appointment for 9 a.m. He became the first veteran inoculated with the Janssen vaccine. Twitchell said it gives him relief to not only know he is now protected but he is also contributing to the good of the community.

“It’s an overall good thing to do it and do my part to protect other people,” Twitchell said.

He is also happy with the safety of the product. “I read up on the [Janssen vaccine] shot and it’s proven to be a safe one to get.”

Pam Lightfoot, the widow of a Vietnam Veteran who suffered from ailments related to exposure to Agent Orange, was the first female to receive the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at the VA’s Hays outpatient clinic. Registered nurse Christy Calvin administered the vaccine to Lightfoot.
Pam Lightfoot, the widow of a Vietnam Veteran who suffered from ailments related to exposure to Agent Orange, was the first female to receive the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at the VA’s Hays outpatient clinic. Registered nurse Christy Calvin administered the vaccine to Lightfoot.

Pam Lightfoot, the widow of a Vietnam veteran who suffered from ailments related to exposure to Agent Orange, was the first female to receive the Janssen vaccine. Being vaccinated now gives her the opportunity to enjoy some things she has been putting off for the past year.

“I feel great. I can go see my girlfriends in Kansas City,” said Lightfoot, who has not visited her Kansas City friends since last July.

The staff at the Hays VA clinic take great pride in taking care of their Veterans. Nurse Jennifer Neil said it is quite an honor to be able to see the excitement in the faces of the veterans each time they vaccinate them.

“They’re so excited to be able to get closer to a normal life. I really enjoy it and it melts my heart a little to be able to see that and do that for them,” Neil said.

The Dole VA is currently offering the COVID-19 vaccine to Veterans 65 years of age and older. Veterans must have an appointment; walk-ins are not accepted. Veterans can call the Dole VA at 316-469-0914, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. to get scheduled to receive their vaccine.

Veterans need to be enrolled in health care with a Dole VA facility to be eligible for the vaccine. You can learn more about eligibility and how to apply at www.va.gov/healthbenefits or call 1-877-222-VETS.

Clinical pharmacist Dinh Nguyen (Dihn Wihn) traveled from Wichita to the VA’s outpatient clinic in Hays to assist and support the Hays staff with vaccinating Veterans this morning. Here, Nguyen draws a dose of the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine from a vial that contains five doses of the vaccine. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines come in vials that hold 10 doses.
Clinical pharmacist Dinh Nguyen (Dihn Wihn) traveled from Wichita to the VA’s outpatient clinic in Hays to assist and support the Hays staff with vaccinating Veterans this morning. Here, Nguyen draws a dose of the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine from a vial that contains five doses of the vaccine. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines come in vials that hold 10 doses.
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