Hawaii began administering the COVID-19 vaccination in mid-December to Hawaii’s vulnerable population and moved on to the third phase of vaccinations, with the final phase scheduled for May. To date, about 21% of the state’s total population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, as many eagerly await their turn.
“As we move towards 2021, there is hope that our economy will recover if we continue to contain COVID-19, preserving the health of both residents and visitors,” said Governor David Ige earlier this year. “The distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine marks the beginning of our road to recovery. This will help us to return to personal learning, to our jobs, and to get people back to work and to re-establish community activities. “
If you are interested in getting vaccinated but are confused about the registration process, read on to find out what you need to know, including the current schedule, where to apply, how to prepare for your appointment and what to expect.
VACCINATION TIME LINE
The Hawaii Department of Health schedule provides an estimate of when the vaccine will be available to different priority groups based on availability. The third phase of vaccinations, Phase 1C, which began recently, focuses on people with specific high-risk medical conditions and residents aged 65 and over, as well as some essential workers. State health officials said they are prioritizing employees of hotels, restaurants and bars for vaccines.
Phase 1A (currently in progress)
• Health professionals
• Residents of long-term care facilities
Phase 1B (currently underway)
• Adults aged 75 and over
• Essential frontline workers, including:
“First responders
»Correction officers
»Dispatchers from emergency services
»Critical transport infrastructure workers (ie, port and port workers, public transport)
»Critical utilities (ie energy, water)
»Daycare teachers and staff and educational support (ie daycare, early childhood education, K – 12, post – secondary)
»Those essential for federal, state and local government operations
»US Post Office employees
Phase 1C (currently underway)
• Adults between 65 and 74 years old
• Individuals aged 16 to 64 with high-risk medical conditions
• Essential workers, including:
»Hospitality and hospitality
»Food Service Industry
“Banking and Finance
“Transportation and logistics
“Sewage
” Construction
»Communications
“Energy
“Means of communication
“Legal
” Public security
»Public health workers
” Information Technology
Phase 2 (May)
• All individuals aged 16 or over who have not previously been recommended for vaccination
HOW TO SUBSCRIBE
There are three different vaccines offered: the Johnson & Johnson single injection vaccine and the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which require two separate doses administered a few weeks apart. You will need to register for an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
• Adventist Health Castle
»Vaccine: Pfizer
»Where: Adventist Health Castle at 640 Ulukahiki St. in Kailua.
»Register online: castlehealthgrouphawaii.com
»Call to register: (808) 263-5002.
• Bay Clinic (island of Hawaii)
»Where: Various locations serving the eastern island of Hawaii.
»Call to register: (808) 333-3600.
• CVS Drugs / Longs (Island of Oahu, Maui and Hawaii)
»Where: Select locations in Aiea, Ewa Beach, Hilo, Honolulu, Kahului, Kailua-Kona, Kaneohe, Kapaa, Pearl City and Waianae.
»Register online: cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine
»Call to register: 800-746-7287.
• Hamakua-Kohala Health (island of Hawaii)
»Where: Various locations.
»Apply online: hamakua-health.org
»Call to register: (808) 775-7204.
• Hawaii District Health Department vaccination sites
»For adults aged 65 and over, call (808) 300-1120 from 9 am to 3 pm, Sunday through Saturday, for help with registration.
• Hawaii Health Systems Corporation (island of Hawaii)
»Where: The Arco de Hilo, Avenida Waianuenue 1099 in Hilo.
»Apply online: hilomedicalcenter.org/covid-19-vaccine-sign-up-information
• Hawaii Health Systems Corporation (Kauai)
»Vaccine: Johnson & Johnson
»Where: Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital and Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital.
»Register online: kauai.hhsc.org
»Call to register: 808-240-5456 from 8 am to 4:30 pm
• Hawaii Pacific Health (Oahu and Kauai)
»Vaccine: Pfizer
»Where: Pier 2 cruise terminal at 521 Ala Moana Boulevard in Oahu and Wilcox Medical Center at 3-3420 Kuhio Highway in Kauai.
»Register online: hawaiipacifichealth.org/hph-covid-19-updates/vaccine-update and hawaiipacifichealth.org/surveyor/i2yon3cyqtvuyc6re5oq
• Hilo Medical Center helpline (Island of Hawaii)
»Call to register: (808) 932-3000 and press 8 (online registration assistance available on weekdays during business hours).
• Kaiser Permanente
»Vaccines: Pfizer and Moderna (plans to offer the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in the near future)
»Where: Various locations.
»Register online: healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/hawaii/health-wellness/coronavirus-information/covid-vaccine
»Call to register: (808) 432-2000 for assistance from 8 am to 5 pm from Monday to Friday.
• Kona Community Hospital (Island of Hawaii)
»Call to register: (808) 322-4451 from 8 am to 12 pm from Monday to Friday.
• Maui Health (Maui)
»Vaccine: Pfizer
»Where: Maui Memorial Medical Clinic from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, and Maui Health Kihei Vaccine Clinic, from 9 am to 5 pm, on Wednesdays and Fridays.
»Website to register: mauihealth.org/covid-19/covid-19-vaccine
»Call to register: (808) 242-2273.
• Queen’s Health Systems
»Vaccine: Pfizer and Moderna
»Where: Vaccination clinic at the Neal Blaisdell Concert Hall. The Modern vaccine is offered on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. Pfizer vaccine offered Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
»Apply online: covid.queens.org/vaccine
»Call to register: (808) 691-2222 from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm from Monday to Friday.
• Queen’s Medical Center in West Oahu
(Consultations open on March 18. The clinic opens on March 24)
»Where: Building of the Clinical Services Center, Suite 150 from 7:30 am to 7:00 pm, daily, except on Mondays.
»Apply online: covid.queens.org/vaccine
»Call to register: 808-691-2222.
• Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital (Island of Hawaii)
»Vaccine: Pfizer
»Where: 67-1125 Hawaii Belt Road in Waimea.
»Apply online: covid.queens.org/north-hawaii-vaccination
»Call to register: (808) 881-4668.
»Registration email: [email protected] with your name, phone number, date of birth and employer’s name, if you are registering as an essential worker.
• Safe way
»Where: Various locations
»Register online: safeway.com/pharmacy/covid-19.html
• Veterans Affairs
»Where: Various locations
»More information: va.gov/health-care/schedule-view-va-appointments
The above information is subject to change. Check the websites above for more details.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT
• Avoid wearing long-sleeved clothing, as the nurse will need to inject the vaccine into your arm.
• Wear a mask for your appointment.
• Bring a photo ID, such as a driver’s license or state ID.
• Bring a medical insurance card.
• Proof of employment in priority group 1C (photo badge, pay stub or letter from the employer certifying the job).
• Bring a copy of your appointment confirmation (a hard copy or on your cell phone).
A Band-Aid, COVID vaccinated patch, an alcohol swab and a needle used to administer the COVID-19 vaccine at Pier 2 on Friday, February 26.
WHAT TO EXPECT
• Coronavirus vaccination can cause possible side effects such as pain, redness, swelling at the site, fatigue, headache, chills and fever. Get some tips from CDC to deal with possible side effects.
• The Pfizer vaccine is given in two doses, with the final dose given three weeks later.
• The Modern vaccine is administered in two separate doses for 28 days.
• Only one injection is required for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
• Medical personnel will monitor you for any side effects 15 minutes after receiving the vaccine.
• You will be asked to schedule a follow-up appointment for your second dose if you have signed up for Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Save your vaccination card to return for the second dose.
• According to the CDC, it takes time for your body to create protection after being vaccinated. Individuals are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and two weeks after the second injection of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
PRE-VACCINATION CHECKLIST
Click here to download a checklist to determine whether you should get the COVID-19 vaccination.
Editor’s Note: Bookmark this page as it will be updated with any changes to the status timeline and vaccine availability.