Booster Doses Approved for Ages 12 and Older

On January 5, 2022, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expanded eligibility of booster doses to those 12 to 15 years old. CDC now recommends that adolescents age 12 to 17 years old should receive a booster shot 5 months after their initial Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination series.

Data show that COVID-19 boosters help broaden and strengthen protection against Omicron and other SARS-CoV-2 variants. The CDC review of safety data following the administration of over 25 million vaccine doses in adolescents found that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.

At this time, only the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is authorized and recommended for adolescents aged 12-17.

Booster Doses Recommended After Five Months for Pfizer Recipients

On January 4, 2022, the CDC reduced the interval for when many people can receive a booster shot, from 6 months to 5 months for people who received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.  This means that people ages 12 and older can now receive an mRNA booster shot 5 months after completing their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series. 

The booster interval recommendation remains unchanged for people who received the J&J vaccine (2 months) or the Moderna vaccine (6 months).

Booster Timeline

If you received….

Moderna: Six months after 2^nd dose

Pfizer: Five months after 2^nd dose

Johnson & Johnson: Two months after single dose

You can choose which vaccine to receive as your booster, regardless of which one you had initially.

The recent emergence of the Omicron variant underscores the importance of vaccination and boosters. According to the CDC, strong immunity such as that provided by a booster, will likely prevent severe illness. Individuals who received a booster should continue to practice other mitigation measures, such as wearing a mask, avoiding large gatherings and staying home from work and getting tested for COVID-19 if they feel sick.  

"Evidence shows that a booster dose provides significant protection from severe illness, hospitalization, and death. We know that the immunity provided by the initial vaccination wanes over time, and a booster dose is especially important for protection from omicron." said Dr. Janet Berreman, Kauai District Health Officer. 

At this time, children younger than 12 years old are not eligible for a booster.

To make an appointment for a booster, scroll down and click on a location offering the vaccine of your choice. Select "booster" when making your appointment. 

COVID-19 vaccine is now available for children ages 5-11 in Waimea at Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital (KVMH), in Lihue at Kaiser Permanente, Wilcox Medical Center, Walmart, and Longs in Kukui Grove, and at mobile clinics hosted by Hoola Lahui.

NOTE: At this time, children younger than 12 years old are not eligible for a booster.

Vaccination protects your child and reduces the likelihood they’ll transmit the virus to family members, friends, and others.

Vaccine recipients must be 5 years old or older on the day of the appointment. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

The vaccine is free. No insurance is needed.

"Because of the rise in hospitalized, unvaccinated children, it’s especially important for children and their household members to be vaccinated,” said Kaua‘i District Health Officer Dr. Janet Berreman. “The vaccine reduces the chances your keiki will get seriously sick if exposed, while reducing the chances your family will have to isolate or quarantine. Although COVID-19 in children is usually milder than in adults, some children become very sick, requiring hospitalization, and some experience long-term health effects."

Wilcox Medical Center, Lihue:

Open to ages 5-11 ONLY during these hours:

Appointments required: WilcoxHealth.org/Vaccine

• Wednesday, Jan. 12, 4 to 5 p.m.
• Wednesday, Jan. 19, 4 to 5 p.m.
• Wednesday, Jan. 26, 4 to 5 p.m.

Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital (KVMH), Waimea:

Open to ages 5-11 ONLY during these hours:

No appointments needed, walk-in only.

More information: https://kauai.hhsc.org/covid-19-information/covid-19-vaccination-clinics/ 

• Wednesdays, 2 to 5 p.m.

Open to everyone ages 5 and older

Appointments required: https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/hawaii/health-wellness/coronavirus-information/vaccine-appointments

If you're having trouble making an appointment online, call 808-432-2000 (TTY 711)

• Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; closed noon-1 p.m.

Walmart Pharmacy Lihue

Open to 5-11 year olds, and 18+. (No vaccines available at this location for ages 12-17)

Walk-ins accepted, or book an appointment: https://www.wal-mart.com/covid

• Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; closed 1-2 p.m. 
• Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; closed 1-2 p.m. 
• Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; closed 1-2 p.m. 

Longs/CVS Pharmacy Lihue

Open to everyone ages 5 and older

Appointments are required: https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine

• Seven days a week during pharmacy hours

NOTE: The other Longs locations on Kauai are offering vaccines to adults only. 

Mobile Clinics

Operated by Hoʽōla Lāhui Hawaiʽi/Kauaʽi Community Health Center. Walk ins are accepted and no appointments are needed. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Open to everyone ages 5 and older.

• Kanuikapono Public Charter School: Saturday, Jan. 8, 9-11 a.m. Open to ages 5+
• Kekaha Neighborhood Center: Saturday, Jan. 8, 9-11 a.m. Open to ages 5+
• Isenberg Park: Saturday, Jan. 15, 9-11 a.m. Open to ages 5+
• Hoʽōla Lāhui Hawaiʽi/Kauaʽi Community Health Center – Kapa‘a Clinic, 4800D Kawaihau Road: Saturday, Jan. 21, 9-11 a.m. Open to ages 5+
• Hoʽōla Lāhui Hawaiʽi/Kauaʽi Community Health Center - Waimea Medical Clinic, 4643B Waimea Canyon Road, Saturday, Jan. 21, 9-11 a.m. Open to ages 5+
• Kanuikapono Public Charter School: Saturday, Jan. 29, 9-11 a.m. Open to ages 5+
• Kekaha Neighborhood Center: Saturday, Jan. 29, 9-11 a.m. Open to ages 5+
• Isenberg Park: Saturday, Feb. 5, 9-11 a.m. Open to ages 5+

The County of Kaua‘i thanks the Kauai District Health Office, Hoola Lahui, Wilcox Medical Center, and Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation for working together to offer these free clinics for Kauai.

Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami is encouraging Kaua‘i parents to get their kids vaccinated or to talk to their pediatricians if they have concerns.

“Vaccines are our path forward and will help keep our keiki and those around them safe,” said Mayor Kawakami. “But we understand it’s a personal decision that should be discussed between family and those you turn to for healthcare needs.”

Make an appointment for a first or second dose or a booster for ages 12 and older at the clinics below.

Kupuna in need of assistance with the online appointment systems can call the Agency on Elderly Affairs at (808) 241-4470 and they can help.

For answers to frequently asked questions about the vaccines, please click here.

(To make an appointment for children ages 5-11, click here)

Pharmacies

Longs Lihue Kukui Grove (Pfizer only, ages 12+)  Make an appointment: https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine

Longs Koloa, Kapaa, and Eleele (Moderna only, ages 18+) Walk-ins are accepted, or make an appointment: https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine

Safeway Lihue and Kapaa (Pfizer and Moderna, ages 12+)  Make an appointment: https://www.safeway.com/pharmacy/covid-19.html 

Walmart Lihue (Pediatric Pfizer for ages 5-11 only, Moderna, and J&J for adults 18+. No vaccines available for ages 12-17 at this location) Walk-ins are accepted, or make an appointment: http://www.walmart.com/COVIDvaccine

Costco Lihue (Moderna only, ages 18+). Make an appointment: https://www.costco.com/covid-vaccine.html

Foodland Princeville: (Moderna only, ages 18+) Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Make an appointment: https://www.foodland.com/covid19-vaccine

Lihue Pharmacy (Moderna only, ages 18+). Tuesdays and Fridays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. By appointment only – no walk-ins at this location. To make an appointment, call (808) 246-6900. For more info: https://kauairx.com/covid-19-vaccine-clinic/

Hospitals & Clinics

Wilcox Medical Center in Lihue (Pfizer and Moderna, ages 12+). Open Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Located in Conference Rooms B/C. Make an appointment: http://WilcoxHealth.org/Vaccine

Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital (KVMH) in Waimea (Pfizer, ages 12+). Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to noon, in front of the clinic. Walk-ins only, no appointments necessary. More info: https://kauai.hhsc.org/covid-19-information/covid-19-vaccination-clinics/

Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital in Kapaa (Pfizer, ages 12+). Thursdays, 9 a.m. to noon. in the auditorium. Walk-ins only, no appointments necessary. More info: https://kauai.hhsc.org/covid-19-information/covid-19-vaccination-clinics/

Kaiser Permanente Lihue Clinic (Pfizer and Moderna, ages 12+) Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed noon to 1 p.m. Walk-ins are accepted, or make an appointment: https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/hawaii/health-wellness/coronavirus-information/vaccine-appointments

Hoola Lahui clinics in Waimea and Kapaa (Pfizer and Moderna, ages 12+). For the latest schedule, call (808) 938-0938

Mobile Clinics

Operated by Hoʽōla Lāhui Hawaiʽi/Kauaʽi Community Health Center. Walk ins are accepted and no appointments are needed. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Open to everyone ages 5 and older.

Offering a choice of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.

• Kanuikapono Public Charter School: Saturday, Jan. 8, 9-11 a.m. Open to ages 5+
• Kekaha Neighborhood Center: Saturday, Jan. 8, 9-11 a.m. Open to ages 5+
• Isenberg Park: Saturday, Jan. 15, 9-11 a.m. Open to ages 5+
• Hoʽōla Lāhui Hawaiʽi/Kauaʽi Community Health Center – Kapa‘a Clinic, 4800D Kawaihau Road: Saturday, Jan. 21, 9-11 a.m. Open to ages 5+
• Hoʽōla Lāhui Hawaiʽi/Kauaʽi Community Health Center - Waimea Medical Clinic, 4643B Waimea Canyon Road, Saturday, Jan. 21, 9-11 a.m. Open to ages 5+
• Kanuikapono Public Charter School: Saturday, Jan. 29, 9-11 a.m. Open to ages 5+
• Kekaha Neighborhood Center: Saturday, Jan. 29, 9-11 a.m. Open to ages 5+
• Isenberg Park: Saturday, Feb. 5, 9-11 a.m. Open to ages 5+

The County of Kaua‘i thanks the Kauai District Health Office, Hoola Lahui, Wilcox Medical Center, and Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation for working together to offer these free clinics for Kauai.