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Naval Medical Center Portsmouth

COVID-19 Information

Vaccine   |  Information Line   |  Testing   |  OCONUS Travel  |  FAQs

COVID-19 Vaccine

The CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccination for everyone 6 months and older. FDA-approved or authorized COVID-19 vaccines are currently available to all U.S. citizens and residents. Visit the CDC website for more information.

  • COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and free.
  • Getting the vaccine can reduce the risk of severe disease, hospitalizations, and long-term complications from COVID-19.
  • For children, the vaccine can also curb community transmission and reduce disruptions to in-person learning activities.

To learn more, visit the CDC website for answers to frequently asked questions, see Interim Clinical Considerations, and bust myths about vaccines.


COVID vaccines are available at the following immunization clinics:

NMCP  

     o Walk-in hours:
          - Mon, Tues, Wed, & Fri - 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
          - Thursday - 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

BHC Norfolk

     o Walk-in hours:
         - Monday - Friday - 8 a.m. -  11 a.m.

BHC Oceana

     o Walk-in hours:
          - Monday - Friday - 7:30 - 10:30 a.m.

BHC Boone (Little Creek)

    o Walk-in hours:
          -Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
           Wednesday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.​

      
 You can also find civilian locations nearest you by visiting https://www.vaccines.gov/search/.


COVID-19 Immunizations Form

Prior to receiving your your COVID-19 Vaccine you will be required to fill out a COVID-19 Screening Form. Please print the form, fill out items 1 through 6, and bring it with you.
www.health.mil/DHAForm207 - Screening Form 12-years and older
www.health.mil/DHAForm236 - Screening Form 7-11 Years Old

Pfizer Vaccine Fact Sheet

Service Member COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Ended

COVID-19 vaccines are no longer required for all members of the armed forces on active duty or in the Reserve or Guard components, according to DOD. However, service members are still encouraged to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

  • Service members who are unvaccinated against COVID-19 may be barred from certain assignments or deployments, including when vaccination is required to travel to or enter a foreign country.
  • If you’re a service member and received a COVID-19 vaccine from a non-DOD provider, make sure to update your medical records.
  • Find a DOD COVID Vaccine Location near you.

Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines and Boosters

You are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines if you have completed a COVID-19 vaccine primary series and received the most recent bivalent dose recommended for you by the CDC.
 
Vaccine recommendations are based on your age, the vaccine you first received, and time since last dose. People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised have different recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines.
 
Updated bivalent vaccines are now recommended for anyone six months old and older. Per the CDC, bivalent mRNA vaccines are not authorized at this time for primary series doses with the following exception: children ages six months to four years who receive two primary series doses of a monovalent Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine should receive a bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine as their third primary series dose. Consult with your primary care manager on availability and the best options to help protect you and your loved ones from severe illness, hospitalization, or death from COVID-19.
 
Find more information at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html.


Concerns about the vaccine?

Speak with a Vaccine Expert. You may contact the DHA-Immunization Healthcare Support Center at 1-877-GET-VACC (1-877-438-8222) option 1 or Defense Switched Network (DSN) 761-4245, option 1, if you have questions about the vaccines or about an adverse event following vaccination.
Visit the CDC Website for current COVID-19 booster guidance.
Visit the TRICARE website for information about the COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID Information Line

Over the past year we have seen a very positive movement in the battle over the COVID-19 virus. There has been a significant decrease in local transmission rates, and the demand for urgent care has gone down enough that we have been able to make changes in our approach to combatting the virus.
 
The COVID Vaccine and boosters have become a part of our daily routine, we have widened the age groups of patients that can receive the vaccine, and we now provide self-test kits to beneficiaries who need to get tested for COVID.
 
However, if you still need information about COVID-19 and your healthcare needs, the NMCP COVID Information Line is here to assist. 

Call 1-757-953-6200 to: 

  • Schedule an appointment with your primary care provider if you have COVID-19 related symptoms
  • Get COVID-19 vaccine information
  • Get COVID-19, self-test kits, or to arrange a test for operational or official travel
  • Or if you just need to talk to someone about COVID-19 or COVID Symptoms

COVID-19 Testing

 

If you are experiencing any of the following severe
symptoms, please report to the nearest
Emergency Room or dial 911:

• Difficulty breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain

Emergency Rooms are intended for TRUE MEDICAL
EMERGENCIES. Please do NOT report to the Emergency Room
for mild to moderate respiratory symptoms or routine COVID
testing (i.e. mild symptoms, positive contacts, or travel).

If you are experiencing symptoms of mild to moderate
respiratory symptoms, we recommend the following:

• Self-test
• Stay home
• Drink fluids to ensure appropriate hydration
• Manage mild symptoms with over-the-counter medications

If your symptoms do not improve or require professional medical
evaluation, please contact your
Primary Care Manager (PCM) at 1-866-645-4584 or the
Nurse Advice Line (NAL) at 1-800-874-2273, and select option #1.

Self Test Kits

NMCP and its Branch Health Clinics do not offer routine, on-site, COVID testing. Self- test kits are available to any of our beneficiaries at these locations: 
 

  • NMCP Immunizations Clinic:

    • Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

    • Thursday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

  • Boone BHC Lab:

    • Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

  • Norfolk BHC Lab:

    • Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

  • Oceana BHC Lab:

    • Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.


COVID Testing for Official Travel

Appointments no longer required for testing. Please walk in to any one of our testing locations.

  • NMCP Immunizations Clinic, Bldg. 2, 2nd floor

    • Monday – Saturday: 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.

  • Norfolk Branch Health Clinic - front desk

    • Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.


COVID Testing for Operational Units

Go to https://esportal.med.navy.mil/nmcp/apps/COVID-19-OUTR/pages/covid-19-outr.aspx and follow the instructions, (CAC Required)

 

TRICARE Coverage of COVID-19 Testing 

For  information regarding TRICARE coverage of COVID-19 testing, please visit https://www.tricare.mil/HealthWellness/HealthyLiving/Coronavirus/Coronavirus-Testing

OCONUS Travel

OFFICIAL TRAVEL FROM THE UNITED STATES TO A FOREIGN COUNTRY

  1. Service members and DoD civilian employees:  Service members and DoD civilian employees must follow all requirements imposed by the GCC with responsibility over the destination geographic area, including all applicable HN procedures as a means to respect HN law, and all requirements of the Electronic Foreign Clearance Guide.
     
  2. DoD family members: Service members must attest that, to the best of their knowledge, their family members have followed the same requirements as those set forth for Service members in this guidance. Failure to do so may result in delay or cancellation of previously authorized travel. This attestation requirement will be incorporated into travel orders issued to Service members.
     
  3. DoD contractor personnel: DoD contracting officers will ensure that all contracts that include performance outside the United States require DoD contractor personnel to comply with the country entry requirements of the respective GCC.


*Updated 24 May 2023
Don't forget to keep your family's information up-to-date in DEERS.