Everything you need to know to sign up for a coronavirus vaccine in Hawaii

Editor’s Note: Story was last updated on May 7.

——

Hawaii started administering COVID-19 vaccinations in mid-December to Hawaii’s vulnerable population and has moved on to the third phase of vaccinations with the final phase expected sometime in May. So far, more than 1.3 million total COVID-19 vaccines have been administered through the state and federal programs.

“As we head into 2021 there’s hope that our economy will recover if we can continue to contain COVID-19 preserving the health of both residents and visitors alike,” Gov. David Ige said earlier this year. “The COVID-19 vaccine distribution marks the beginning of our path to recovery. It will help us return to in-person learning, our jobs, and get people back to work and the restoration of community activities.”

If you’re interested in getting vaccinated but are confused about the registration process, keep reading on to find out what you need to know including the current timeline, where to sign up, how to prepare for your appointment and what to expect.

VACCINATION TIMELINE

Hawaii Department of Health’s timeline provides an estimate of when the vaccine will be available to different priority groups based on availability.

All islands are currently in the final phase of vaccinations, Phase 2, which allows all individuals 16 and older to get vaccinated.

Phase 1A (currently ongoing)

• Health care workers

• Long-term care facility residents

Phase 1B (currently ongoing)

• Adults 75 years or older

• Frontline essential workers including:

» First responders

» Corrections officers

» Emergency services dispatchers

» Critical transportation infrastructure workers (i.e., harbor and dock workers, public transportation)

» Critical utilities (i.e., energy, water)

» Teachers and childcare and educational support staff (i.e., childcare, early education, K‐12, post‐secondary)

» Those essential for federal, state, and local government operations

» U.S. Postal Service employees

Phase 1C (currently ongoing)

» Currently prioritized by state health officials:

• Adults ages 50 and older

• Individuals on dialysis

• Individuals with severe respiratory disease who are on oxygen

• Individuals undergoing chemotherapy or other infusion therapy

• Essential workers employed at hotels, restaurants and bars

• Essential workers including:

» Banking and finance

» Transportation and logistics

» Construction

» Communications

» Media

» Information technology

» Retail

» Clergy

Phase 2 (currently in progress)

• Currently in progress for all islands including Oahu, Hawaii County, Maui County and Kauai County

• All individuals ages 16 and up not previously recommended for vaccination

HOW TO SIGN UP

There are three different vaccines offered: the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine, and the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which both require two separate doses taken a few weeks apart. Most clinics require registration for an appointment to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, but some are now offering vaccines on a walk-up basis.

State health officials on April 13 announced pausing the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine following a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration over concerns of rare blood clots. Following the recommendation from the CDC and FDA, some vaccination clinics in Hawaii have resumed the use of Johnson & Johnson. 

• Adventist Health Castle

» Vaccine: Pfizer

» Where: Adventist Health Castle at 640 Ulukahiki St. in Kailua.

» Register online: castlehealthgrouphawaii.com

» Call to register: (808) 263-5002.

• Bay Clinic (Hawaii island)

» Where: Various locations serving east Hawaii island.

» Call to register: (808) 333-3600.

• Consolidated Theatres and Kaiser Permanente

» Where: Consolidated Theatres Kapolei, 890 Kamokila Boulevard.

» Register online: kp.org/covidvaccine

» Call to register: 1 (855) 550-0951 (TTY 711).

• CVS/Longs Drugs (Oahu, Maui and Hawaii island)

» Where: Select locations in Aiea, Ewa Beach, Hilo, Honolulu, Kahului, Kailua-Kona, Kaneohe, Kapaa, Pearl City and Waianae.

» Register online: cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine

» Call to register: (800) 746-7287.

• Hamakua-Kohala Health (Hawaii island)

» Where: Various locations.

» Register online: hamakua-health.org

» Call to register: (808) 930-2751.

• Hawaii District Health Office vaccination sites

» For adults ages 65 and older, call (808) 300-1120 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday through Saturday for registration assistance.

• Hawaii Health Systems Corporation (Hawaii island)

» Where: The Arc of Hilo, 1099 Waianuenue Ave. in Hilo.

» Register online: hilomedicalcenter.org/covid-19-vaccine-sign-up-information

• Hawaii Health Systems Corporation (Kauai)

» Where: Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital (Fridays) and Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital (Thursdays).

» Register online: kauai.hhsc.org

» Call to register: (808) 823-4103 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Hawaii Pacific Health (Oahu and Kauai)

» Vaccine: Pfizer and Moderna

» Where: Pier 2 Cruise Terminal at 521 Ala Moana Boulevard on Oahu and Wilcox Medical Center at 3-3420 Kuhio Highway on Kauai.

» Register online: hawaiipacifichealth.org/hph-covid-19-updates/vaccine-update and hawaiipacifichealth.org/surveyor/i2yon3cyqtvuyc6re5oq

• Hilo Medical Center helpline (Hawaii island)

» Call to register: (808) 932-3000 and press 8 (online registration assistance available weekdays during business hours).

• Kaiser Permanente

» Vaccines: Pfizer and Moderna

» Where: Various locations.

» Register online: healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/hawaii/health-wellness/coronavirus-information/covid-vaccine

» Call to register: (808) 432-2000 for assistance from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

• Kona Community Hospital (Hawaii island)

» Call to register: (808) 322-4451 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday through Friday.

• Leeward Community College Clinic (Oahu)

» Vaccine: Moderna

» Leeward Community College from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

» Register online: oneoahu.org/lcc-vaccine

» Email: cchnlvaccination1.2@gmail.com

• Maui Health (Maui)

» Vaccine: Pfizer

» Where: Maui Memorial Medical Clinic from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Maui Health Kihei Vaccine Clinic from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Friday.

» Website to register: mauihealth.org/covid-19/covid-19-vaccine

» Call to register: (808) 242-2273.

» Email: mh-covid-vaccine@kp.org.

• Times Pharmacy

» Vaccines: Moderna and Johnson & Johnson

» Where: Mililani Town Association Recreation Center No. 5

» Register online: timespharmacyhawaii.com/covidvaccine

» Walk-up basis available

• Queen’s Health Systems

» Vaccine: Pfizer and Moderna

» Where: Vaccination clinic at Neal Blaisdell Concert Hall. Moderna vaccine offered Sunday and Monday. Pfizer vaccine offered Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

» Register online: covid.queens.org/vaccine

» Call to register: (808) 691-2222 from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

»  Walk-up basis available: 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

• Queen’s Medical Center at West Oahu

» Vaccine: Pfizer

» Where: Clinical Services Center Building, Suite 150 from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily except Mondays.

» Register online: covid.queens.org/vaccine

» Call to register: (808) 691-2222.

• Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital (Hawaii island)

» Vaccine: Pfizer

» Where: 67-1125 Hawaii Belt Road in Waimea, COVID-19 vaccination clinic annex on the south side of the hospital campus.

» Register online: covid.queens.org/north-hawaii-vaccination

» Call to register: (808) 881-4668.

» Email to register: QNHCHVaccine@queens.org with your name, phone number, date of birth, and employer’s name if you are registering as an essential worker.

» Walk-up basis available: 4 to 6 p.m.

• Safeway

» Where: Various locations.

» Register online: safeway.com/pharmacy/covid-19.html

• Walmart and Sam’s Club

» Vaccine: Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson

» Where: Various locations.

» Register online: walmart.com/COVIDvaccine and samsclub.com/covid.

• Walgreens

(Offering vaccinations to those eligible at select Oahu pharmacies)

» Where: Select Walgreens pharmacies on Oahu.

» Register online: Walgreens.com/ScheduleVaccine

» Call to register: 1-800-Walgreens

• Veterans Affairs

» Where: Various locations.

» More information: va.gov/health-care/schedule-view-va-appointments

The information above is subject to change. Check the websites above for more details.

NEED HELP REGISTERING ONLINE?

The Hawaii Department of Health has launched a new service to assist kupuna in signing up for a COVID-19 vaccination appointment online.

The kupuna call center is available to take more than 1,000 calls per day. Trained specialists are expected to take calls from kupuna to help them navigate the registration process, secure an appointment and arrange transportation if needed.

The call center will be open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Call 2-1-1 for assistance. Translation services are also available.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT

• Avoid wearing long-sleeved clothing since the nurse will need to inject the vaccine into your upper arm.

• Wear a mask to your appointment.

• Bring a photo ID such as a driver’s license or state ID.

• Bring a medical insurance card.

• Bring a copy of your appointment confirmation (either a printed copy or on your mobile phone).

• Proof of employment in 1C priority group (badge with photo, pay stub or letter from employer certifying employment). Check with your vaccination site if this is required.

WHAT TO EXPECT

• The coronavirus vaccination may cause possible side effects such as pain, redness, swelling at the site, fatigue, headache, chills and fever. Get some tips from the CDC for dealing with possible side effects.

• The Pfizer vaccine is administered in two doses, with the final dose taken 21 days later.

• The Moderna vaccine is administered in two doses separated by 28 days.

• There is only one shot needed for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

• Medical personnel will monitor you for any side effects 15 minutes after you receive the vaccine.

• You will be asked to schedule a follow-up appointment for your second dose if you signed up for the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Keep your vaccination card to return for your second dose.

• According to the CDC, it takes time for your body to build protection after getting vaccinated. Individuals are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the single-dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, and two weeks following the second shot of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

PRE-VACCINATION CHECKLIST

Click here to download a checklist to determine whether you should get the COVID-19 vaccination.

Editor’s Note: Bookmark this page as it will be updated with any changes to the state’s timeline and vaccine availability.