DOH Expands COVID-19 Booster Authorization to 16 and 17-Year-Olds

The Hawai‘i Department of Health is adopting expanded guidelines from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on COVID-19 booster vaccinations. Hawai‘i residents ages 16 and 17 may receive a booster dose if it has been at least six months since the completion of the initial series of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. 

DOH reminds all eligible residents they can receive a booster dose if it has been at least two months since their Johnson & Johnson vaccine, or six months since completing their Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech series. 

“The recent emergence of the Omicron variant underscores the importance of vaccination and boosters,” DOH officials said in a press release announcement.

The CDC maintains that strong immunity, such as that provided by a booster, will likely prevent severe illness.

“Everyone should continue to practice other mitigation measures, such as wearing a mask, avoiding large gatherings and staying home from work or school and getting tested for COVID-19 if they feel sick,” according to the DOH.

Vaccines are widely available across the state with more information available at https://hawaiicovid19.com/vaccine/.