Denby Fawcett: Why So Few People Are Getting The New Covid Shot
Experts are worried about the lack of interest as people are still suffering from the virus and long Covid. By Denby Fawcett Original article on Civil Beat, November 7, 2023 I keep a card in my wallet that says I have been injected six different times to protect against Covid. So far, I have avoided the coronavirus and I want to keep it that way, especially when thinking about the life altering changes of long Covid. One of my relatives has been battered by long Covid for almost two years. Even a short walk down the block to her neighborhood park leaves her dizzy and exhausted. At home, she battles [...]
Federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19 ends on May 11, 2023
HONOLULU, HI –The federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19, declared under Section 319 of the Public Health Service Act, will expire at the end of the day on May 11, 2023. As the PHE ends, high levels of vaccination, widespread population immunity, and available treatments have significantly reduced the risk of severe COVID-19 disease, hospitalization, and death. “We mourn the loss of loved ones from the pandemic. However, our experience demonstrated what we can accomplish when we come together as a community, having the lowest mortality rate in the nation,” said Hawaii State Health Director Dr. Kenneth Fink. “Although [...]
Seniors now eligible for additional COVID-19 bivalent booster dose, COVID vaccine recommendations simplified
HONOLULU, HI – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) supports the latest recommendations announced yesterday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), allowing an additional dose of the bivalent booster against the virus that causes COVID-19 for individuals at increased risk for severe infection. CDC’s announcement also simplifies vaccination schedules to allow bivalent vaccines to be used for primary vaccination series, as well as boosters. “These simplified recommendations make it even easier to protect yourself and your family from severe COVID-19 illness and death,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble. “COVID-19 is still circulating, and we have seen [...]
Hawai‘i COVID-19 hospitalizations on the rise
HONOLULU, HI – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) reports a rise in the rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations. The number of total positive COVID-19 hospitalizations has increased over the past week (3/26 – 4/4) from 39 to 74 patients, which is an 89.7% increase. “Our hospitals still have capacity”, says State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble. “However, it is a reminder of the ongoing circulation of COVID-19 in our community. Staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters, is the best defense against becoming seriously ill from COVID-19.” DOH recommends individuals who have not yet received a bivalent booster to get [...]
Wastewater Samples Show Higher COVID Concentrations & New Subvariant
The Hawai‘i State Department of Health’s most recent Wastewater Surveillance Report documents two significant developments about COVID-19 in Hawai‛i. Higher concentrations of the virus that causes COVID-19 The arrival of the XBB.1.5 subvariant Higher concentrations in wastewater can be an early indicator the number of COVID-19 infections is increasing. “The wastewater data is concerning, but not alarming,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble. “The detection of higher virus concentrations means we should closely monitor case counts and hospitalizations for a possible surge in cases and be ready to respond should a surge materialize.” Case counts have been relatively stable since [...]
Bivalent boosters for keiki as young as 6 months
Updated COVID-19 bivalent boosters are now available in all counties for keiki as young as six months of age. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended the emergency use authorization for the bivalent boosters by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech to include keiki sized boosters earlier this month. “The authorization of these updated bivalent vaccines comes at a good time,” said State Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Char, FACEP. “Now young children can get the same protection adults have as families gather for the holidays.” “As this virus has changed, and immunity from previous COVID-19 vaccination wanes, the more people who keep [...]
Celebrate a COVID-19 free holiday by taking simple safety precautions
HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health encourages people to celebrate the holidays safely by taking simple steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses. Get a bivalent booster at your doctor’s office, neighborhood clinic, or pharmacy Stay home if sick Wear masks indoors, when traveling, and when with vulnerable people Gather outdoors. If you must gather indoors, open windows and use fans to improve ventilation Limit gathering sizes Take an at-home test before meeting with kūpuna and others at high risk of severe illness Wash or sanitize hands frequently “The past few years COVID-19 illness increased [...]
Updated COVID-19 vaccines for children as young as 6 months coming soon
HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health has placed orders to supply participating healthcare providers with updated COVID-19 bivalent vaccines for children as young as six months of age. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued emergency use authorization for keiki-sized vaccines Thursday, December 8. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expanded the use of bivalent COVID-19 vaccines to include children ages six months through five years today. Children ages six months through five years who completed the two dose primary series of Moderna vaccines are eligible for a Moderna bivalent booster two months after their final primary series [...]
New Study Supports Bivalent Boosters
You will be hard pressed to find a better Black Friday deal than a COVID-19 bivalent booster shot. They are free! And new data shows bivalent mRNA booster formulations provide significant additional protection against symptomatic COVID-19 infections. The new data prompted Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, to say, “Please, for your own safety, for that of your family, get your updated COVID-19 shot as soon as you’re eligible to protect yourself, your family and your community.” The new data comes from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is the first real-world data [...]
Media Availability with Dr. Sarah Kemble and DIB Chief Caroline Pratt
State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble and Disease Investigation Branch Chief Caroline Pratt provide an update on RSV and other respiratory viruses in Hawai‘i. RSV and influenza are increasing in Hawai‘i, in line with trends observed across the country. People concerned about the flu or other respiratory viruses can take simple preventive measures like staying away from others who are sick, staying home if they’re sick, washing their hands, covering their cough, and wearing a mask. DOH recommends flu shots for individuals six months and older. COVID-19 vaccinations are recommended for everyone six months and older and COVID-19 bivalent boosters are [...]