LIHU‘E — The state Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office announced Friday that more than 3,000 Kaua‘i health-care workers, first responders, frontline essential workers and long-term-care-facility residents have now received the first doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
On Monday, Kaua‘i hospitals will announce detailed plans for providing vaccinations to kupuna 75 and older. Additionally, the DOH will begin vaccinating Kaua‘i residents who work in education and child care. Later this month, the vaccine will be available to essential frontline workers in food and agriculture, manufacturing, grocery stores and the U.S. Postal Service.
“This is a large group, and is expected to take some time,” said Mayor Derek Kawakami. “As additional vaccine shipments become available, we will expand the list of eligible residents.”
The first doses were made available to frontline essential workers in public transit,
correctional facilities and congregate facilities last week.
Vaccines were available to firefighters, police officers and sheriffs, TSA agents, airport security, airport arrival screeners, and county Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency personnel beginning the week of Dec. 29.
Vaccinations for health-care workers began the week of Dec. 21, through hospital clinics and a closed point of distribution run by the DOH.
Hawai‘i National Guard members and U.S. Navy Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands employees were offered the vaccine through the U.S. Department of Defense.
Long-term-care residents received the vaccine through a direct contract between the federal government and CVS. Long-term-care residents at the following facilities received the first doses: Garden Isle Healthcare and Rehabilitation, Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital, Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital, Hale Kupuna Heritage Home, Kaua‘i Care Center, Kekaha Elderly Housing and Regency at Puakea.
At this time, there are no COVID-19 vaccines approved for children under 16.
For more information on Kaua‘i’s vaccine-distribution program, visit kauai.gov/vaccine.
A copy of the state vaccination plan and a list of frequently-asked questions are available at hawaiicovid19.com/vaccine.
