Premier Medical Group continues testing, offering vaccines

Premier Medical Group continues to bring COVID-19 testing and vaccinations to communities countywide.

On Tuesday, Premier set up its mobile unit at Lokahi Park in Hilo. The location is part of its schedule of testing and vaccination around the island.

Along with testing, Premier provides both Moderna and Johnson &Johnson vaccines with no appointment necessary.

“We wanted to start providing drive-through vaccines without appointments to go along with our mobile testing sites,” said David Buck, Premier Medical’s Big Island COVID-19 operations manager. “We want to continue providing testing to these areas while also offering a convenient way to get vaccinated.”

On May 18, Premier vaccinated about 25 people in Volcano.

“Many people at the Volcano location said that they were waiting for someone to come up here with vaccinations,” Buck said. “We have found that a lot of people aren’t vaccine hesitant, but are hesitant to travel.”

Premier will be returning to those locations for second shots and will continue to test people until 75% of the county population is vaccinated.

Testing and vaccinations will be available from 4-7 p.m. every Wednesday at the old Pier 1 Imports store at Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo.