The turnaround time following the arrival of vaccines to providers will continue to improve as shipments continue. Every Hawaiʻi resident 16 years or older will have access to the vaccine as soon as early next summer. The timeline predicted for the next stages is as follows:

Now through Spring 2021

Summer of 2021

Do your part for the community by receiving your vaccination when it is your turn. By getting vaccinated you are:

• Protecting friends and loved ones.

• Allowing for the reopening of Hawaiʻi’s businesses and economy.

• Contributing to herd immunity, helping those who don’t have the same timeline of access.

• Helping to lessen the strain seen on healthcare facilities over the past year.

How many doses of the vaccine are needed?

Most of the vaccines approved for use require two shots for full efficacy. If you receive the first, you’ll be automatically eligible and alerted in the weeks that follow to receive the booster.

Will there be enough vaccines for everyone?

Yes. While the supply is currently limited, millions of vaccines are being made, and everyone in Hawaiʻi will have the opportunity to get vaccinated.

How does the vaccine work?

There are a few ways to gain immunity from a virus, but vaccines allow your body to train your immune system and build antibodies without having to get sick. Both COVID-19 vaccines currently available are highly efficacious when the initial and booster are taken.

Can the vaccine give you COVID-19?

No. The vaccine does not use a live virus but rather messenger RNA. Unlike most vaccines that inject the weakened virus, mRNA sends instructions for protein building into your body that trigger an immune response.

How much will the vaccine cost me?

As COVID-19 is a public health emergency, the vaccine is free and covered by U.S taxpayer dollars. Providers can charge an administrative fee that is reimbursable through public or private insurance. For those uninsured, the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Provider Relief Fund will cover the reimbursement.

What are the side effects?

The side effects that have been studied are common with most vaccinations, such as tenderness at the injection site or fatigue that could last a couple of days.

Why do vaccine tiers and availability vary between islands?

The available vaccine supply given to each county, coupled with the area’s population, determines how quickly the community can progress throughout the various tiers. Some areas may receive more doses than they have eligible recipients, allowing them to advance through the tiers more quickly. Alternatively, those receiving fewer doses than needed for the eligible population may progress more slowly.