After two weeks without a mask mandate or the Safe Travels program, hospitals have few COVID-19 patients, but demand for second booster shots is on the rise.
The decline in COVID-19 cases occurred at a good time after 36 federally funded nurses left Hilo Medical Center in mid-March.
“There is not much to report on COVID here,” HMC spokesperson Elena Cabatu said Monday. “We have three patients, and that’s the most we’ve had in about a month or so.”
During the surge of the omicron variant, the nurses provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency helped give the HMC staff some much-needed relief.
“Between the delta and omicron surges, there wasn’t much breathing room for our staff,” Cabatu said. “Although (the nurses) were here when omicron wasn’t as severe, it was really nice having those additional hands for our staff.”
While COVID-19 is not as prevalent in island hospitals, there is still a push for vulnerable populations to get their second booster vaccine.
The second booster shot is available to individuals who have received their first booster shot at least four months ago. Those eligible include people 50 years and older and people 12 years and older who are immunocompromised.
Although HMC is not offering a public vaccination clinic, the facility is providing second boosters for patients.
There are plenty of other options to get a booster shot, however.
The East Hawaii Health Clinic in Keaau is taking walk-ins for second booster shots, first booster shots, or primary vaccination series.
North Hawaii Community Hospital has started offering second booster shots at its walk-in vaccine clinic from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Wednesday.
“Since we started giving second boosters, we’ve given about 300 vaccinations, which are mostly going to those 50 years and older,” said spokesperson Lynn Scully. “Many people are getting boosters to prepare for travel, or because the mask mandates have gone away.”
Although there have been some long waits at the clinic, people are encouraged to wait it out and get the vaccine to continue to protect themselves.
“We had a high volume the past two weeks, but I’m thinking it will stabilize,” Scully said. “There were some long waits, but we want to encourage people to come and get vaccinated while it’s still easy, available and free.”
KTA Pharmacy also is offering second booster shots to anyone who meets the standards set by the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.
“We have been seeing some people, but the demand is not as high as we expected, especially compared to the first booster shot,” said Kerri Okamura, director of pharmacy operations. “We are here, though, and are ready to take appointments.”
Those who qualify for the second booster shot, or those wanting to get their primary series or first booster, can make an appointment at ktasuperstores.com/pharmacy-covid-19-vaccinations.
Bay Clinic is giving second boosters and is preparing for an increase in demand if COVID-19 causes another surge in the state.
“We are definitely seeing an uptick in vaccination interest, and we suspect that could go up if we see more cases trickle down to the islands,” said CEO Kimo Alameda.
Because testing options have waned in the county, Bay Clinic will be giving away four free COVID-19 home tests to each car that comes by the Administration Office, 450 Kilauea Ave., No. 105, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday.
“We wanted to do this giveaway since there is no more county testing, and you never know when you may need a test,” Alameda said.
Bay Clinic is taking appointments for the second booster shot, the first booster and the primary series at bayclinic.org.
As of Tuesday, 4,370 second booster doses have been administered statewide. In Hawaii County, 68% of the eligible population is fully vaccinated.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com