Photo Credit: Kaiser Permanente Hawaii
Hawaii health officials are seeing a decline in the number of residents getting vaccinated against COVID-19, with only 60,000 doses ordered the first week of May. According to the state’s Department of Health, nearly 30% of people ages 70 and older (those in the highest risk group) haven't received a single dose. As the age of residents now eligible for the vaccine goes down, the percentage of the population who haven't received one dose of a vaccine goes up.
Kaiser Permanente Hawaii is providing $400,000 in funding to increase COVID-19 vaccinations in Hawaii communities disproportionately affected by the pandemic. The health system is coordinating efforts with Hawaii Primary Care Association on Hawaii Island; Mālama I Ke Ola Health Center on Maui; and Kalihi Palama Health Center, Wahiawa Center for Community Health and Waimanalo Health Center on Oahu to get shots in the arms of more Native Hawaiians and Hawaii residents.