On May 1, 2020, the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced participation in a series of clinical trials and investigations across the nation aimed at finding ways to mitigate or potentially prevent symptoms of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients.

The trials demonstrate the ability of VA — America’s largest integrated health care network that also maintains a significant capacity for research — to work with government and industry partners on a wide range of solutions during this national health crisis.

VA’s most far-reaching effort is its cooperation with the Mayo Clinic, which is studying whether blood transfusions from people who recovered from COVID-19 can help those who are still suffering with symptoms. Plasma from COVID-19 survivors contains antibodies that may help current patients.

In cooperation with this program, more than 60 of VA’s medical centers and clinics are prepared to perform transfusions of this plasma to COVID-19 patients. The Food and Drug Administration approved expanded access to convalescent plasma transfusions in April.

Additionally, VA will soon launch a study in parallel with the Department of Defense to better understand the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of COVID-19. That study is being coordinated by the Seattle VA Medical Center, with assistance from researchers in Durham, North Carolina; West Haven, Connecticut; Boston and Palo Alto.