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Exciting news for Hawaii! The new COVID-19 vaccines specifically designed for the latest omicron variants will be available in the state next week.
CVS Pharmacy, the operator of Longs Drugs in Hawaii, has announced that they will begin receiving the new COVID-19 vaccines on Wednesday, with continuous supply throughout the week. It is expected that all CVS Pharmacy locations across the country will have the vaccines in stock by early next week.
Dr. Shilpa Patel, the chief quality officer of Hawaii Pacific Health, strongly recommends that all eligible residents aged 6 months and older receive the new vaccines. These vaccines play a crucial role in preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death.
“It’s important because it prevents severe illnesses,” she explained. “You can still contract COVID-19, you can still get the flu.”
This has been a long-standing reason for getting the influenza vaccines over the decades.
“If you get the influenza vaccine, it prevents severe illness, hospitalization, and death in the majority of the population,” she added.
The updated Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines have been specifically formulated to target the currently circulating variants more effectively. They contain a single component, corresponding to the omicron variant XBB.1.5.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized these updated vaccines, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended them for everyone aged 6 months and above.
Although XBB.1.5 is no longer highly prevalent in the U.S., studies have shown that the updated vaccines are effective in neutralizing the currently circulating variants EG.5 and BA.2.86, as confirmed by the FDA.
These updated vaccines replace the previously authorized bivalent boosters.
The FDA has stated that individuals starting from the age of 5 can receive a single dose, even if they have not had a prior COVID-19 shot. Those who have been previously vaccinated can receive a booster shot at least two months after their last dose.
The number of doses for younger children varies depending on their vaccination history.
The side effects of the updated vaccines are similar to those of previous mRNA vaccines.
As fall approaches, Dr. Patel recommends both the COVID-19 and flu vaccines for children to prevent severe complications from viral infections.
“I absolutely think that the COVID vaccine will become one of the recommended pediatric vaccines moving forward,” she predicted. “There will be greater acceptance and awareness of COVID vaccinations, making it a routine vaccine.”
Last fall, hospitals dealt with a “tripledemic” of COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus. There was an unusually high number of pediatric patients with RSV. However, Dr. Patel does not expect an atypical RSV season this year.
Nationally, COVID-19 metrics have been on the rise. The CDC has reported an increase in hospitalizations and emergency room visits due to COVID-19 over the past two months. Although hospitalizations have also increased in the past week, they remain at low rates in most states.
“Thankfully, we are in a different place with COVID-19 now than we were at the beginning of the pandemic. However, COVID-19 is here to stay,” stated the CDC in a news release.
According to the latest report from the state Department of Health, there have been an average of 134 cases per day over the past week in Hawaii, with a statewide average positivity rate of 13.1%. Honolulu County has recorded a daily average of 99 cases and a slightly higher average positivity rate of 15.8%.
Additionally, eight more deaths have been reported, bringing Hawaii’s COVID-19 death toll to 2,009.
In Hawaii, the uptake of the previous bivalent booster was low, with only approximately 29% of the eligible population receiving it.
The CDC has emphasized that older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems are at the highest risk for hospitalization and death. However, healthy children and adults can still experience severe disease.
According to the CDC, the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination continue to outweigh any potential risks.
Most Americans can receive the vaccines for free through private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid.
CVS has made vaccination appointments available for individuals aged 5 and above on their website and app. Walk-ins are also accepted at select locations.
To find locations where COVID-19 shots are available, please visit vaccines.gov.
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