First Pfizer doses arrive at hospital

Moderna vaccine on its way as CVS gears up to vaccinate Hale Makua, other facilities

Maui Memorial Medical Center received its first 975 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine Monday, just as 12,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine arrived in Hawaii.

Maui Health spokeswoman Mahie Wong said that the hospital had received the Pfizer vaccine and was storing it in the facility's freezer. "We are expecting receipt of our Moderna vaccine for our long-term care residents and employees for our Kula Hospital and Lanai Community Hospital any day now," Wong said. "However, we are preparing behind the scenes to be ready to vaccinate as soon as we receive."

On Monday, the state Department of Health said that Hawaii had received its first shipment of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Oahu has already gotten 6,000 doses, while Maui County, Hawaii County and Kauai County are each receiving 2,000 doses each.

The vaccine arrived in boxes containing 100 doses that had to be stored in freezers at minus-20 degrees Celsius.

As doses of both vaccines continue to arrive, pharmacy giant CVS Health announced Monday the official launch of the COVID-19 vaccination program for more than 40,000 long-term care facilities nationwide, including more than 40 nursing and assisted living facilities in Hawaii.

CVS employees will visit each facility to give the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine and critical booster. The program has already begun in 12 states. Another 36 states, including Hawaii as well as Washington, D.C., will begin receiving initial doses on Dec. 28. Puerto Rico will follow on Jan. 4.

Ashley Takitani Leahey, director of communications and development for Hale Makua Health Services, said Monday that residents and staff are anticipating that the facility will receive its vaccine allotment either next week or in early January.

CVS will come to Hale Makua to administer the vaccine, Takitani Leahey said. The facility is receiving the Moderna vaccine.

"Today's rollout is the culmination of months of internal planning and demonstrates how the private sector can use its expertise to help solve some of our most critical challenges," said Larry J. Merlo, CVS Health president and CEO, in a news release. "I'm grateful for the herculean efforts of everyone involved, including our health care professionals who will be deployed throughout the country to bring peace of mind to long-term care facility residents, staff and their loved ones."

Once the vaccines are available to the general public, they will be offered by appointment with reservations via CVS.com or through the CVS app. Around 800 appointments at each CVS location will be dedicated for people without online access.

CVS will have the capacity to administer 20 to 25 million shots per month nationwide, according to the news release.

Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino urged people to take precautions even with the arrival of the vaccine.

"The vaccine is on the horizon and we know that it will help a lot of people, but until then, keep your distance, even when you go to bars or restaurants, even when you go picnicking," Victorino said during a news conference Monday afternoon. "Be careful, it's really important."

Victorino also clarified that residents can still gather in groups of 10 or less. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency said in a news release Sunday, "do not congregate in groups larger than five people." An official clarified Monday that "while the 'reminder' was for people to limit their gatherings to five or less, it in no way supercedes any county rules that are in effect."

"They're recommending that we look at that, just like any other recommendation, but it hasn't been discussed in any way with the rest of the mayors and myself," Victorino explained. "Yes, we agree that the smaller the gathering the better it is, and keeping it to internal household members of the family is probably also the best thing to do, however, if you're going to have any gathering of 10 or less, that is what our protocol calls for, having it outside will be really important or in a well-ventilated indoor area."

He added that he wants everyone to have a safe Christmas and New Year's holiday by wearing a mask, staying socially distant, and not house-hopping as much as possible.

"We have to be realistic on our COVID-19 policies and how we adapt to them," he said. "But we're asking everybody to remember that social gatherings is one of the big spreaders, and you know, bar-like behavior and going to other events throughout the County of Maui."

County officials also said that there have now been about 11,500 downloads of the AlohaSafe Alert app, a free and voluntary service that helps with contact tracing and exposure notifications.

With the holidays around the corner, they also said that the Maui Police Department is accepting complaints about illegal fireworks. To report, call the non-emergency number at 244-6400.

* Dakota Grossman can be reached at dgrossman@mauinews.com. Colleen Uechi contributed to this report.