State Department of Health Recommends COVID-19 and Flu Vaccinations for Residents Ahead of Holidays
The state Department of Health is urging residents to get their updated COVID-19 and flu vaccination shots prior to the upcoming holiday season. State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble emphasized the importance of getting vaccinated, especially with the increased travel and social gatherings that typically occur during the holiday season.
Despite recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the uptake of the newest COVID-19 vaccine has been low across the U.S. In Hawaii, only about 7% of the state’s population has received the updated vaccine, according to DOH data.
Dr. Scott Miscovich of Premier Medical Group is offering the updated COVID-19 vaccines at his clinics for both children and adults. However, he has noticed little interest among younger patients in getting vaccinated, with some citing previous COVID-19 infection and vaccination as reasons for not wanting to receive the updated vaccine.
The newly updated 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccines target the XBB lineages of the omicron variant, which accounted for the majority of COVID-19 cases in Hawaii in September. Federal health officials are emphasizing the importance of these updated vaccines for protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
In addition to the updated COVID-19 vaccines, the state Department of Health is also recommending that residents get their flu vaccinations. The Department cautioned that the coronavirus will continue to evolve, and the flu season typically sees surges of COVID-19 and influenza due to increased travel and gatherings.
Despite declining weekly infection and hospitalization rates, COVID-19-related deaths continue to climb in Hawaii. Tracking COVID-19 metrics has also become challenging as more residents switch to home tests instead of PCR tests, which are not reported to the state.
With the holiday season on the horizon, health officials are urging residents to consider the risks to themselves and others, particularly those who are elderly or immunocompromised. Dr. Miscovich emphasized the importance of getting vaccinated, stating that COVID-19 is a virus that is here to stay and will continue to pose a risk, especially for those over 65.
As the holiday season approaches, health officials are urging residents to prioritize their health and well-being by getting vaccinated and following recommended safety guidelines to protect themselves and their loved ones.