The SAVES LIVES Act increased the numbers of those eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, including veteran spouses, caregivers, certain beneficiaries and others.
In April, President Joe Biden signed the SAVE LIVES Act into law (P.L. 117-4) to ensure the Department of Veterans Affairs can provide COVID-19 vaccines to all veterans—including those not enrolled in VA health care, veteran spouses, caregivers, and some beneficiaries, including 12- to 17-year-olds, who qualify under VA’s Civilian Health and Medical Program.
According to VA Secretary Denis McDonough, the SAVE LIVES Act removed some of the legal limits on the medical care the VA can provide to veterans based on eligibility requirements.
“The SAVE LIVES Act increases the number of individuals who are eligible to get lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines from VA from 9.5 million to more than 33 million,” said McDonough. “Meeting the task of vaccinating this expanded population will be a tremendous undertaking for the VA and will require a significant increase in our allocation of vaccine supply, but I am confident that VA’s workforce is up to the task.”
The ability to deliver the vaccine depends on a readily available supply and requires the VA to continue to prioritize vaccinations and health care delivery for veterans already enrolled in VA health care.
Learn more online
Veterans, their caregivers, and veteran spouses and beneficiaries who may qualify under the legislation can get more information about COVID-19 vaccines at the VA by visiting va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine. More information regarding veterans and the COVID-19 pandemic can also be found at dav.org/covid.
Find a DAV location
Contact your nearest DAV office. They will help you file a claim and stick with you all through the process, because no veteran should have to go at it alone.
DAV is an organization of veterans helping veterans.
The reasons are as individual as our members. Some join for the fellowship at our more than 1,200 local chapters. Some for the inspiring national events. Others for opportunities to serve their fellow veterans and their families. And many join to continue the fight to support the rights and benefits of all veterans. DAV understands the needs of veterans because we are veterans—1 million strong. We invite you to join our cause.
Click here to RSVP to “Service to Startup: Making Entrepreneurship Accessible for Veterans” ➡ dav.la/4gV7wKr.
Moderator: -David Calone, Harvard Law School alum, Patriot Boot Camp co-founder and Senior Advisor to Jove Equity Partners LLC
Panelists: -Jasmine Paul, Air Force veteran DAV Patriot Boot Camp alumna and founder of The Wealth Playground, a youth financial literacy company.
-Matt Hyde, Navy veteran and partner and co-founder of Catalyst Law Group LLP, where his practice is focused on representing emerging-growth companies and venture or private equity investors.
-Emily McMahan, Army veteran and co-founder and general partner with AIN Ventures, a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage companies at the intersection of deep tech and dual-use technology, as well as in military, veteran-led startups.
Service to Startup: Making Entrepreneurship Accessible for VeteransOctober 8, 2026, 12:00pm...
The discussion provided veterans from Wisconsin's Third Congressional District an opportunity to raise concerns directly with officials, ask questions and hear updates on efforts to improve veteran care, benefits and services.
Every day DAV is fighting for veteran-focused legislation on the state-level and nationally in D.C. Learn more about DAV’s legislative efforts and how you can get involved at davcan.org. ...
DAV Chapter 73 Erie/Crawford County in Erie, Pennsylvania, saw a longtime community partnership grow into a major boost for veteran transportation access.
For the past four years, the chapter has partnered with junior hockey’s Erie Otters Hockey Club through the team’s Hometown Heroes program, honoring veterans at games and raising visibility for veteran support services.
As the chapter approaches its fifth anniversary with the Otters, that sustained outreach caught the attention of the Uncommon Grit SEAL Foundation, which reached out to collaborate and ultimately made a donation of more than $30,000 on the chapter’s behalf to the Erie VA Medical Center.
The contribution funded a wheelchair-accessible vehicle that will help transport veterans to and from critical medical appointments, building on the foundation’s earlier support for the VA, including a 2025 donation toward a wheelchair-accessible van.
Chapter members said the partnership reflects how consistent local outreach continues to open doors for new relationships that directly improve veterans’ lives in the community. ...
Veterans, transitioning military and military spouses—your next career opportunity is waiting!
Join DAV and RecruitMilitary this October for a nationwide lineup of job fairs to introduce YOU to employers from multiple industries.
🏢 Regional events in San Diego, Detroit, Chicago, Tampa and Cincinnati 💻 Virtual event for the Western region 📍 On-base events at Fort Bliss, Fort Gordon, Joint Base San Antonio, Joint Base Lewis-McChord and Naval Station Norfolk
View the full schedule and register today 👉 dav.la/jobfairs. ...
