Starting Thursday, veterans in need can turn to the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System for food assistance.

Veterans, spouses and caregivers can sign up to receive the COVID-19 vaccine through VAAAHS.

(AP Photo/David Goldman, File)YPSILANTI, Mich. – The Washtenaw County Health Department announced Tuesday that it is postponing COVID-19 vaccination clinics this week due to low supply. Individuals who had appointments to be vaccinated during these days will be contacted by the Health Department directly. “This is incredibly difficult for everyone involved,” Jimena Loveluck, health officer with Washtenaw County Health Department said in a news release. Instead, the Health Department is working closely with local providers to administer the Moderna vaccine to residents 65 years and older immediately. Individuals are randomly selected to be vaccinated and information about underlying health conditions is not used by the Health Department at this time.

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - DECEMBER 19: Doctor walks through the COVID-19 area in front of a wheelchair at the hospital of the National Institute of Respiratory Diseases Ismael Cosío Villegas on December 19, 2020 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Alfredo Martinez/Getty Images)ANN ARBOR – A growing number of studies have shown that in the first months after being discharged from the hospital, COVID-19 patients faced a high risk of returning for treatment, ongoing health problems and death. The overall risk of readmission or death for COVID patients was lower than that for patients with the other two conditions after 60 days. “For many patients, COVID-19 seems to set off cascades of problems that are every bit as serious as those we see in other diseases. Half of the patients in the study were Black and 95% of the patients were male -- both high risk groups.

ANN ARBOR – VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System on Tuesday morning received 975 initial doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. VAAAHS was selected as one of 37 VA medical centers across the U.S. to receive the first shipment of the vaccine. “We’re proud to be among the first medical centers to receive the initial doses of the vaccine,” Director Ginny Creasman said in a statement. Those who receive the vaccine will get it in two doses, 21 days apart. Veterans seeking more information can sign up for the VA’s COVID-19 Vaccine Keep Me Informed tool, visit its Coronavirus Vaccine FAQs website, contact their healthcare provider or visit their facility website.

(AP Photo/Morry Gash, Pool)ANN ARBOR – VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System announced on Monday morning that it was selected as one of 37 VA sites nationwide to receive initial COVID-19 vaccine doses. According to a news release, the VA Ann Arbor Medical Center was selected for its ability to inoculate a large population and store the vials at extremely cold temperatures. In compliance with Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, the Ann Arbor VAMC will start vaccinating veterans in long-term VA health care facilities and health care personnel. Like healthcare systems around the country, VA Ann Arbor will begin a limited-supply phase followed by a mass implementation phase once a large vaccine supply is available. “As more vaccine becomes available, eligible Veterans will be contacted directly to discuss specifics and set appointments to receive the vaccine.”

ANN ARBOR The VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System announced the opening of the first Fisher House built in the state of Michigan on Monday. The VA Ann Arbor Fisher House is one of 87 Fisher Houses in the world, including in the U.S., Germany and the United Kingdom. The Fisher House is a short walk away from the VA Ann Arbor Medical Center and will enable family members to be near their loved one during a hospitalization. Inside the VA Ann Arbor Fisher House. Nonprofit organization Fisher House Michigan raised more than $7 million of its $20 million goal to fund construction of any Fisher House built in Michigan.