A COVID-19 vaccine from Johnson & Johnson will soon be available across the state.
On the Big Island, the single-dose Johnson & Johnson shot will be offered to kupuna 70 and older Tuesday, March 16, at Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo, the state Department of Health announced today.
Eligible individuals can register by calling 300-1120.
According to the DOH, Hawaii has so far received just one shipment of the Johnson & Johnson vaccines.
The current supply is limited, the DOH said, but the department expects additional shipments will be allocated to Hawaii in the coming weeks.
Hawaii is receiving a growing number of the vaccines manufactured by Pfizer and Moderna, the DOH said. Research shows all three products offer effective protection against COVID-19.
While people now have more choice than ever, health professionals urge people to accept whatever product they can get.
The DOH, however, said demand for vaccines is still greater than supply. Therefore, only people age 70 and older and those in Phase 1A and 1B of the state’s vaccination plan are currently eligible.
The state’s vaccination plan prioritizes distribution of vaccines in two phases.
The first phase has three components, with an emphasis on high-risk populations.
Phase 1A includes health care personnel and long-term care facility residents, while Phase 1B includes frontline essential workers, such as teachers, and adults 75 and older.
Adults 65-74, people 16-64 with high-risk medical conditions, and essential workers not included in 1B can be vaccinated in Phase 1C.
Phase 2 will cover the rest of the population, which includes everyone 16 and older not included in previous categories.
The DOH said vaccinations will soon be available to everyone age 65 and older and those in Phase 1C.
Those who are currently eligible to be vaccinated can choose the Johnson & Johnson regimen by completing a survey online at hawaiicovid19.com/vaccination-registration/.