Hawaiʻi adopts CDC guidance, allowing additional booster for certain individuals

Additional booster shots available

The Hawai‘i Department of Health is adopting the most recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding COVID-19 booster shots.

Effective immediately, people who received their first booster shot at least four months ago may receive a second booster shot of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) if:

• They are over the age of 50
• They are 12 or older and have a compromised immune system
• They received primary and booster doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine

“Additional booster shots allow people in these select populations to get extra protection against severe illness. A second booster can be especially beneficial for people 65 and older and those 50 and older with underlying medical conditions,” said State Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Char, FACEP.

“About 55% of people in Hawai‘i eligible for their first booster shot have received it. We strongly recommend the other 45% get their booster shot soon. Those now eligible for a second booster should determine the right time to get the extra protection another dose will provide. Anyone unsure about getting a second booster can consult their health care provider,” Char added.

COVID-19 vaccination and testing options are available at hawaiicovid19.com.

Kaiser to begin offering 2nd booster (4th shot) April 5:

The US Food and Drug Administration has authorized a second booster dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for people 50 years and older and certain immunocompromised individuals.

Pending CDC guidance, Kaiser Permanente Hawaiʻi anticipates beginning administering the second booster doses  (4^th shot) Tuesday April 5, according to an update provided on Tuesday.

According to the FDA, emerging evidence suggests some waning of protection over time against serious outcomes from COVID-19 in older and immunocompromised individuals and that a second booster dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine improves protection against severe COVID-19 and is not associated with new safety concerns.

The agency amended the emergency use authorizations as follows:

• A second booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered to individuals 50 years of age and older at least 4 months after receipt of a first booster dose of any COVID-19 vaccine.
• A second booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered to individuals 12 years of age and older with certain kinds of immunocompromise at least 4 months after receipt of a first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine. These are people who have undergone solid organ transplantation, or who are living with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise.
• A second booster dose of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered at least 4 months after the first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine to individuals 18 years of age and older with the same certain kinds of immunocompromise.

The FDA also reiterated that data shows an initial booster dose is critical in helping to protect all adults from the potentially severe outcomes of COVID-19. 

Vaccine will be available to Kaiser Permanente members and non-members. For a complete list of locations or to schedule an appointment, visit kp.org/covid.