Where & How To Get A COVID-19 Vaccine in Honolulu, Hawaii?

Quick Digest: 

• As of February 5th, Hawaii has received 226,800 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna coronavirus vaccines. Of this stockpile, Hawaii has administered 111,165 doses to its residents.
• Hawaii is currently in phase 1b of vaccine distribution. Accordingly, healthcare workers, long-term care residents, individuals 65 and older, and frontline essential workers can access the vaccine.
• Mira’s research indicates that Hawaii will reach herd immunity by August 30, 2021. This aligns with previous forecasts, which estimated that the pandemic will be functionally over by Q3-Q4 of 2021.

What you need to know about the COVID-19 Vaccine in Honolulu, Hawaii

In December 2020, the FDA granted emergency use authorization to the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. 

• Both vaccines demonstrated over 94% effectiveness in preventing COVID-19 during clinical trials.
• Both vaccines utilize mRNA to teach your body how to recognize and kill the coronavirus should you be exposed. Since mRNA cannot enter the nucleus of cells, these vaccines will not alter your DNA.
• Both vaccines require two doses, spaced approximately three to four weeks apart. Immunity will take time to build once you have been vaccinated, so you should continue to take precautions and act as though you are not vaccinated. Continue to wear a mask, practice social distancing, and wash your hand with soap and water.
• Your second dose needs to be from the same company as your first dose. In other words, if you received the Pfizer vaccine for your first dose, you need to receive the Pfizer vaccine for your second dose.

For more information on COVID myths debunked, see our article here. 

The COVID-19 vaccine is available in Hawaii for all who qualify in Phase 1b

Hawaii is currently allowing people in phase 1a and 1b to get vaccinated. Although demand for the vaccine is extremely high, the current supply does not suffice for all individuals who are eligible to receive a vaccine. 

Therefore, just because you are eligible, does not mean you will be able to get vaccinated immediately. The following people are currently eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine in Hawaii.

• Healthcare workers.
• Long-term care facility residents
• Individuals aged 75 and older
• Essential Workers

The following essential workers are qualified under phase 1b:

• First responders
• Corrections Officers and staff
• Emergency services dispatchers
• Individuals essential for federal, state, and local government operations.
• Critical transportation infrastructure workers (harbor, dock workers, public transportation, etc.)
• Critical utility workers (energy, water, etc.)
• Teachers, childcare, and educational support staff (preschool, K-12, post-secondary, etc.)
• US Postal Service employees
• Grocery store workers

Phase 1c tier is estimated to begin thereafter. Once phase 1c is in full effect, the following groups will be eligible for vaccination. 

• Adults between the ages of 65 and 74
• Persons aged 16 to 64 with high-risk medical conditions
• Essential workers who did not qualify under phase 1b

Here's where you can receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Honolulu, Hawaii

Outlined below are all the locations you can receive the Covid-19 vaccine in Hawaii.  We will continue to update this information as more counties provide further information.

City and County of Honolulu

• Hawaii Pacific Health
  Pier 2 Cruise Terminal @ 521 Ala Moana Blvd.
  By appointment only:
  http://hawaiipacifichealth.org/COVIDVaccine
• Queen’s Health System / Queen’s Medical Center
  Neil Blaisdell Concert Hall @ 777 Ward Avenue
  By appointment only:
  https://covid.queens.org/vaccination/ OR 808-691-2222
• Kaiser Permanente
  Multiple Locations
  KP.org/covidvaccine

Maui County

• Maui Health
  221 Mahalani St, Wailuku, HI 96793
  By appointment only
  https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=xHuKPzfjpUeg_A1RLA4F8cXJwZZpK2pAu1Uo-Oe2AqxUMDdZVVRVMUFZRFhDN0xGUUxQT0U5UVU0NSQlQCN0PWcu

Hawaii County (Big Island)

• Kona Community Hospital
  79-1019 Kaukapila St, Kealakekua, HI 96750
  By Appointment Only
  322-4451 OR [email protected]

Kauai County

• Kauai Medical Clinic at Wilcox Medical Center
  Registration through MyChart Account Once Eligible and Notified
  Sign up for MyChart here
  If you have a MyChart account, qualify for a vaccine, and have not been notified, click here to request an appointment.

What do I need to bring with me to my COVID-19 vaccine appointment?

Below are several items you must bring to your appointment in order to receive your vaccine. Please note that you will only be able to receive a vaccine if you are eligible under the current phase of distribution and have an appointment.

• Government-issued picture ID
• Insurance Card
• Mask/Face Coverings to be Worn at All Times
• Copy of your Appointment Confirmation
• One person over the age of 18 if you need assistance/escort to your appointment.

When will Hawaii reach herd immunity?

Mira’s research indicates that Hawaii’s herd immunity date will be approximately August 30, 2021. 

To arrive at this date, we studied CDC data on vaccine administration in Hawaii, determining the average rate of vaccinations per day and scaling-up this rate according to the number of eligible individuals in each phase. 

This allowed us to see how long it would take Hawaii to vaccinate 75% of its population — the number of people needed to reach herd immunity, wherein the pandemic will be functionally over. 

Have questions on what you should do after you have been vaccinated? Check out our article on post-vaccination infectivity.

Sources: 

https://www.khon2.com/local-news/list-how-and-where-to-get-a-covid-19-vaccine-in-the-state-of-hawaii/

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations

https://www.staradvertiser.com/2021/01/12/hawaii-news/mass-vaccination-centers-planned-on-oahu-to-administer-covid-19-doses/