Governor David Ige today provided an update on the state’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts, saying health workers, residents and nursing staff are currently being vaccinated. The second dose of vaccine has started to arrive and will also be given.
In addition, beginners who receive a response, key frontline workers, and those aged 75 and over begin receiving the vaccine.
Subsequently, the next phase will involve vaccination for people over 65 years of age. It will also include those over 16 who are at increased risk for complications from COVID-19 and other key workers. By the beginning of the summer, the vaccine will be open to all members of the community, according to the state plan.
(A complete breakdown of the people that is included in each phase and when the phase will be launched is provided by scrolling down in this article).
The Ige government said: “I urge everyone to remain vigilant and continue the safe practices that have made Hawaii a leader in limiting the spread of COVID-19: wearing masks, washing hands and following distances. By doing this – and by vaccinating ourselves when it is our turn – we can protect public health, revitalize the economy and strengthen our communities. “
Those who may qualify for the vaccine but are not connected to a particular caregiver or employer are asked to ensure that in the coming days they visit the state website hawaiicovid19.com. State officials say there will be links and more guidance in the coming weeks, where the public will be able to click on “I need / want a vaccine” and can be guided for further instructions. The state will also establish a hotline for people to call.
Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Josh Green said the state will increase distribution in about two weeks for those in Phase 1b. He said the second week of January is expected to be a time when the federal government and their supply chain can provide Hawaii with more vaccine each week.
“It has already begun and we have begun to vaccinate some individuals in that category, including the first responders,” said Lt. Green Government, noting that Hawai’i can gain immunity from herds if about 75 to 80 percent of the population is vaccinated .
According to Lieutenant Governor Green, a recent state poll showed that about 55% of respondents said they absolutely wanted to be vaccinated, and another 25% said they were willing to be convinced.
“I think 80 percent of our population will eventually get the vaccine – that is, 80 percent of 1.4 million – that is, more than a million people,” he said.
To date, the state has received more than 82,000 doses of vaccination. Lt. Green Government said the state expects to reach 25,000 doses this week. The projection he said, based on information that has been shared with the state so far, is plans to receive 150,000 doses each month at some point in the future.
It is estimated that 609,000 people combined fall into phases 1 a, b and c, and large-scale sites are currently being set up for the distribution effort.
Lt. Green Government said, “Our number one priority is to keep everyone safe as we work as quickly and efficiently as possible to use the vaccine and take it out the door and into our arms. We demand the patience of all, as we, and the world, take on this monumental task. “
Phase 1a: December 2020 – January 2021
- Healthcare workers: Paid and unpaid staff serving in physicians who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials. (Estimated total: 40,000)
- Residents of long-term care units: adults living in facilities that provide a variety of services, including medical and personal care to people who cannot live independently. (Estimated total: 10,000)
Phase 1b: December 2020 – March 2021
- Hawaii residents: over 75 years old: adults over 75 years old (estimated total: 109,000)
- Frontline Essential Workers: Workers whose duties must be performed on the spot and who require close contact with the public or colleagues, present a substantially higher risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and are essential for the functioning of society, with special attention to life and safety first. This includes: first responders; correctional officers and staff; emergency services dispatchers; key people for federal, state and local government operations; critical transport infrastructure workers (port and dock workers, public transport, etc.); critical utilities (energy, water, etc.); teachers and childcare and educational support staff (childcare, preschool, early education, K-12, post-secondary, etc.); US Postal Service employees. (Estimated total: 50,000)
Phase 1c: TBD: March – May 2021 (estimated total: 400,000)
- Hawaiʻi residents over the age of 65: Adults between the ages of 65 and 74
- Persons with underlying medical conditions: persons of eligible age for all authorized vaccines, with comorbid and underlying conditions at high risk of severe COVID-19.
- Other essential workers: essential workers who are not included in phase 1b
Additional considerations
- Vaccine distribution can occur simultaneously between phases
- In each phase, vaccinations will be distributed first to the oldest priority populations, then in descending order of age.
- Vaccinations can be redistributed if significant outbreaks or clusters occur
- Priority groups may be extended to include others if deemed necessary to limit the spread of disease, morbidity or mortality.
- Where possible, vaccination can be distributed to geographically priority populations, taking into account the current activity of the disease, disproportionately affected communities and health and socio-economic vulnerabilities.
Phases 2 and 3
Vaccination of the general population is expected to begin in early summer 2021, depending on production and federal dose allocation through “Operation Warp Speed.”