Trending
The Maui News
Additional booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are now available to older or immunocompromised residents, the state Department of Health announced Tuesday.
"Additional booster shots allow people in these select populations to get extra protection against severe illness," state Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Char said in a news release Tuesday. "A second booster can be especially beneficial for people 65 and older and those 50 and older with underlying medical conditions."
Following U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval on Tuesday, the DOH announced that people who received their first booster shot at least four months ago may receive a second dose of Pfizer or Moderna if they:
• Are over the age of 50.
• Are 12 or older and have a compromised immune system.
• Received primary and booster doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
"About 55 percent of people in Hawaii eligible for their first booster shot have received it," Char said. "We strongly recommend the other 45 percent get their booster shot soon. Those now eligible for a second booster should determine the right time to get the extra protection another dose will provide. Anyone unsure about getting a second booster can consult their health care provider."
Kaiser Permanente Hawaii announced Tuesday that it expected to begin administering the second booster doses on Tuesday, with appointments and locations available at kp.org/covid.
For more information on vaccination and testing options statewide, visit hawaiicovid19.com.