Military veterans who are enrolled in Veterans Administration health care can now get the COVID-19 vaccine in the greater stateline area.

The Madison VA and all of its clinics in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois opened up the vaccine distribution to all enrolled veterans of any age, regardless of state eligibility guidelines.

Chief of Staff Dr. Alan Bridges said the hospital initially started vaccinating older veterans and those at risk, but they opened it up to the full enrolled population Tuesday as their supply has increased.

The VA system receives its vaccines from the federal government and does not take from each state’s allotment of COVID-19 vaccines.

The Madison VA is administering vaccine shots at the William S. Middleton Hospital and its clinics in Janesville, Baraboo, Beaver Dam, Rockford and Freeport.

Dr. Bridges said the clinics have plenty of timeslots available, and they can vaccine veterans on the same day they come in for any other previously scheduled appointment.

VA-enrolled veterans can call 608-280-2160 to set up a vaccination appointment.

The Madison VA is also encouraging veterans who have already been vaccinated elsewhere to report their vaccination to the VA so they know how many patients still need to receive the shots.