LIHU‘E —Kaua’i hospitals started vaccinating our kupuna aged 75 and older as of Jan.15, and now local Hawai’i State Dept. of Health clinics are focusing on vaccinating frontline essential workers.
The Kaua’i hospitals administers vaccines to kupuna aged 75 and older.
The Jan. 15 COVID-19 video update states “Wilcox Medical Center in Līhu‘e has begun administering the Pfizer vaccine to adults ages 75 and older. The vaccine clinics will be open to anyone 75 years of age or older.”
The video further states, Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waimea and Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital in Kapa‘a is also offering vaccination clinics for those 75 and older.
“The demand for the vaccine has been extremely high and we’re pleased to add two more days for our kupuna to help protect them from the COVID-19 virus,” said Jen H. Chahanovich, president and CEO of Wilcox Medical Center and CEO of Kaua‘i Medical Clinic.
As of this printing, the Depart. of Health said 59% percent of kupuna aged 75 or older, have received at least one dose of either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines. Saturday, Wilcox Medical Center on Kaua’i reported 3,955 vaccinations completed as part of statewide statistics provided by Hawai’i Pacific Health.
Saturday’s total, when they widened the distribution of the rollout for Kaua’i, hasn’t been completely tabulated for the county of Kaua’i.
Wednesday, KVMH and Mahelona Memorial Hospital reported a combined total of 1,781 first doses administered and 1,670 second doses administered, as well as 401 employees who received vaccinations.
Charlene Quinones, a 75-year-old resident who lives in Kapa’a and received her shot at Mahelona Medical Center, said the process of getting inoculated was relatively easy.
“They were very prepared, organized and quick, and they gave thorough instructions before and after the shot,” Quinones said.
Naomi Tamashiro, a 69-year-old, who received her shot as a caregiver, also was impressed with the level of organization.
“They double checked you were registered and had an appointment,” Tamashiro said. “After the shot, they made sure you waited there for 15 minutes and even provided snacks.”
Kaua’i County anticipates there will be barriers for some kupuna that want the COVID-19 vaccine.
The county is offering assistance through mobile vaccinations for kupuna that are homebound.
According to Dr. Janet Berreman, District Health Officer for the Kaua‘i District Health Office Hawai‘i Depart. of Health, being vaccinated is a step toward being able to engage in in-person activities.
The Agency of Elderly affairs told The Garden Island, there haven’t been any problems with the rollout.
“We also encourage family and friends to assist kupuna, and to continue to follow local media and the County’s COVID-19 updates on Facebook and //Kauai.gov/covid-19.”
The number of vaccines given are increasing every week, and also stated she anticipates the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine may be available as soon as early March.
The Kaua’i Health District Office expounded on expounded on Kupuna.
“In addition, vaccination will allow kupuna to engage in in-person activities such as visiting with family members and interacting with peers with more assurance of safety,” The District Health office said in a written statement.
Where to get vaccines
Kupuna can get more information by calling the Agency on Elderly Affairs at (808) 241-4470.
However, they cannot help if no appointments are available or you are not yet eligible.
To sign up at one of these locations, please visit the websites below— Longs in Kapa‘a: https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine, Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital (KVMH) in Waimea: https://kauai.hhsc.org/, Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital in Kapa‘a: https://kauai.hhsc.org/, or Wilcox Memorial Hospital in Līhuʻe: http://wilcoxhealth.org/Vaccine.
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Jason Blasco, reporter, can be reached at 245-0437 or jblasco@thegardenisland.com.
