Surge in cases fuels demand for booster shots in E. Hawaii
Big Island health care providers are reporting an influx of people getting their vaccine booster shots as the omicron variant of the novel coronavirus continues to sweep through the state.
Bay Clinic has started serving 80 to 100 people a day for primary vaccinations and boosters.
“We’ve seen a huge uptick in adults getting their vaccines and boosters, and we are swamped with visits at the COVID clinic,” said Bay Clinic CEO Kimo Alameda. “What’s promising is that we are seeing more unvaccinated deciding to get the vaccine.”
Hilo Medical Center recently reopened its vaccination clinic in the hospital to help with the influx of people looking for booster shots.
“The demand for booster shots is growing more and more, and we wanted to jump in to be part of the solution,” said HMC spokesperson Elena Cabatu.
The vaccination clinic has the Pfizer vaccine available for those 12 and over as well as the Pfizer booster for those 16 and older.
Those interested can sign up at vams.cdc.gov.
As keiki vaccinations continue, the focus has shifted more into administering booster shots.
“We want to make sure parents are still bringing their kids in to be vaccinated to keep those who are older or high risk out of the hospital,” Cabatu said.
Some pediatricians have asked parents to get their children vaccinated before school starts again to avoid transmitting COVID-19.
“With multiple threats coming at our keiki from all directions, it is a parent’s kuleana to do whatever it takes to protect them,” Dr. Jennifer Case said last week in a column published in the Tribune-Herald. “In this case, that means getting your keiki vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu.”
If a child gets COVID-19, they might experience a fever, persistent cough, sore throat, muscle aches and nausea.
As of Wednesday, 14.2% of keiki 5 to 11 have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Children receive a third of the dose adults get, which lessens the potential side effects.
Vaccines for everyone 5 years and older are available by appointment through Bay Clinic at bayclinic.org.
Vaccines also are available through KTA Pharmacy at Edith Kanaka‘ole Tennis Stadium from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 8, and 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 15.
KTA Puainako also will have free PCR testing available today in the KTA parking lot from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nomi Health has rapid and PCR testing available at the Waiakea Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and at the Sure Foundation in Keaau from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com
