The House passed a new bill on Nov. 15 that would authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to supply COVID-19 and flu vaccines for veterans, their spouses, and caregivers (pdf). If passed, the new bill will allow individuals not currently enrolled under the VA healthcare system to receive the vaccines through Apr. 29, 2022. Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), also the House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman, introduced the bill on Oct. 21. “Public health officials are clear: It is completely safe to receive both inoculations even at the same time,” Takano said, according to The Hill. “By providing easy access to both vaccines at the same time, I hope we can begin to reduce the burden on the broader health care system this winter.” While the CDC states that “limited data exist on giving COVID-19 vaccines with other vaccines, including flu vaccines,” its website states that individuals can receive both vaccines at …