COVID-19 case counts inched up slightly this week but have remained fairly steady for the past two months. The CDC ranks COVID-19 community levels as being low in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, Maui, and Kaua‘i Counties.
It is impossible to predict how long the levels will remain low. Getting a bivalent booster now will help protect you in the event case counts climb this winter.
Doctors suggest that when you are at a pharmacy or clinic, get your booster and take advantage of the opportunity to also get your flu shot.
This week is officially the fourth week of a brand-new flu season. Flu cases in Hawai‘i tend to peak November through March. And while it is too early to tell whether we will have a particularly bad flu season, it is a great time to get a flu shot.
“We saw very few flu cases during the pandemic. People were wearing masks, maintaining social distance and avoiding crowds. That kept flu from spreading. But as COVID-19 mitigation measures have relaxed and masks have come off, we are seeing more flu circulating,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble.
“There are early indications this year’s flu shot matches well with the strains of flu that have been detected. It looks like this year’s flu shot will offer significant protection,” Kemble added.
COVID-19 vaccinations and bivalent boosters can be scheduled through providers found at HawaiiCOVID19.com/vaccine. Many providers and pharmacies allow you to schedule flu shots when scheduling your COVID-19 vaccines or boosters. Some providers offer walk-in flu shots without an appointment.
Doctors recommend flu shots for children 6 months and older. COVID-19 vaccinations are recommended for everyone 6 months and older and COVID-19 bivalent boosters are recommended for everyone age 5 and older.
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]