All state residents 16 years and older are eligible for vaccinations and the Department of Health is strongly encouraging everyone to get the vaccine. Three upcoming vaccine clinics on Hawai‘i Island are part of that continuing effort.
Jason Dela Cruz of the Hawai‘i District Health Office said the following clinics will be be open this week.
- Tuesday - Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Johnson & Johnson 18+
- Tuesday - Kona Community Aquatic Center, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Moderna
- Thursday - Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Moderna (drive-through site)
Reservations are recommended but the clinics also welcome walk-ins, he said. The Johnson & Johnson clinic is a special clinic, but the department typically holds the Kona and Hilo clinics each week.
In the beginning of the vaccine distribution, demand was high. Now, there are a lot of open appointment slots as demand diminishes, he said.
"It's on public health now to kind of shift gears," he said. "We have to do a lot more outreach--get those people kind of on the fence on board, and get them to come and schedule at the clinic."
Nearly half of all residents on the island have completed at least one vaccine dose, according to the official vaccine tracker.
The Civic Auditorium clinic site will move out of the space and into Prince Kuhio Plaza after May 13 to make room for Merrie Monarch.
This story aired on The Conversation on May 3, 2021.
