KTA Super Stores Pharmacy on Saturday is hosting its first free vaccination clinic in over a year.
After noticing that many school-aged keiki were not receiving annual vaccinations, KTA management decided to put together the Ohana Vaccination Clinic to give free flu and COVID-19 vaccines to people 3 years old and over.
“We realized that there is a gap in care because elementary school-aged students are not offered flu shots in school anymore,” said Megan Arbles, KTA Pharmacy manager. “Parents have to make appointments, and providers are at capacity. We thought this could be a good opportunity to hold a clinic for keiki, but also for everybody.”
Form 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, volunteers will be administering flu, high-dose flu and Moderna Spikevax COVID-19 shots at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo.
The Moderna Spikevax is the updated COVID‑19 vaccine that is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older. The vaccine lasts a year and will be updated next year.
“There has been a lot of information coming out about the COVID-19 vaccine becoming an annual vaccine similar to a flu shot,” Arbles said. “We’ve had a fair amount of people in the pharmacy getting their flu and COVID-19 shots, but this gives parents another option.”
KTA has partnered with Big Island Health Care and the Rotary Club of South Hilo to put on the event, which will also serve as a resource fair for attendees.
Keiki are encouraged to Halloween wear costumes, so they can trick-or-treat for goodies at vendor booths after getting their shots.. There also will be a costume contest, face-painting, games and other activities.
While keiki enjoy the fun of the event, their parents and guardians can learn about more health and wellness resources available across Hawaii County.
Pharmacists and volunteers from KTA, the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s College of Pharmacy, Big Island Health Care and the Rotary Cub will be administering vaccines and managing the resource fair through the day.
KTA might continue to hold the clinic on an annual basis depending on the needs of the community and the response this year.
“I think this might become an annual event since there is a need for kids, but we’ll see how this year goes,” Arbles said. “We know it’s hard to come out on a Saturday with so much going on, but we hope to see families come to the clinic with their Halloween spirit.”
The clinic will be open from 8 a.m. to noon, with walk-ins welcomed from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the civic. The resource fair also will end at noon.
To learn more about the vaccines and to schedule an appointment for Saturday, visit ktasuperstores.com/pharmacy.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.