By STEPHANIE SALMONS and KELSEY WALLING
Hawaii Tribune-Herald
Robbin Branco was hesitant to receive a COVID-19 vaccine until he saw a mobile vaccination unit at the Hilo Val Hala Apartments last month.
“When I got my first dose here, I had a chance to talk with (Lance Uchida) and explain my doubts,” Branco said. “I also asked my sister-in-law, who is a nurse, and she told me everything would be okay.”
Premier Medical Group on Tuesday set up its mobile unit outside Val Hala for a second time in an effort to vaccinate community members.
Branco came to get his second dose of the Moderna vaccine.
“I think I made the right decision,” Branco said. “It was great that I didn’t have to go anywhere. I just walked across the street.”
Nearly six months into vaccination efforts, doses are no longer scarce, but the number of individuals seeking inoculation has dwindled.
According to the state Department of Health, 57% of Hawaii’s population have been fully vaccinated, and 62% have received at least one dose.
More than 1.65 million doses have been administered statewide.
On the Big Island, 49% of all residents are fully vaccinated, while 60% have received at least one dose.
Demand has slowed, said KTA Super Stores Director of Pharmacy Kerri Okamura.
“There seems to be a lot of outreach efforts now to make it convenient for people to get vaccinated,” she said.
KTA began offering vaccines in its four Big Island pharmacies in February.
In addition to clinics at Prince Kuhio Plaza, Okamura said the grocery chain also has partnered with Malama Ia Hawaii to vaccinate East Hawaii’s houseless population and is working with the state Department of Education to provide some clinics at schools for students and the community, among other efforts.
“I was hopeful we would be farther along in the number of people vaccinated at this point,” Okamura said. “We are all getting tired of dealing with COVID, and the best solution to ending this pandemic is for everyone to get vaccinated if they are able to. The COVID vaccine is safe and effective, and it’s our answer to getting us back to normal.”
Hospital Administrator Kris Wilson said Hilo Medical Center had an increase in vaccinations at its clinic, located at the Arc of Hilo, during the week of June 7 — three weeks after the hospital hosted its final mass vaccination clinic.
At that time, HMC was administering second doses to about 300 people per day, she said.
But now the hospital is“seeing a definite trickle-off effect as noted by the rest of the state,” Wilson said.
Currently 50 to 60 appointments are scheduled per day at the Arc of Hilo clinic, she said.
“It’s hard to really forecast walk-in appointments,” Wilson said. “We know we’re getting them.”
HMC also is offering the single-dose Johnson &Johnson vaccine in the hospital lobby and has administered 83 shots since that clinic opened June 1.
Wilson said the hospital did not have an expectation for those walk-in vaccinations, but is thrilled with the response.
“Honestly, at this point in the vaccine strategy, any shots in arms is a win.”
Wilson said keiki 13 to 16 years old are “leading the charge” in terms of vaccinations, accounting for approximately 30% of HMC’s vaccination appointments.
Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital in Waimea is administering 200 to 300 vaccines per week, down from approximately 200 per day earlier in the year, spokeswoman Lynn Scully said.
“There are a number of areas on Hawaii Island where the rates are low, and there are vaccination teams from the (state Department of Health) focusing on those areas,” Scully said. ” … We continue to work with community partners on ways to move the state to herd immunity.
“We are pleased with the progress we have made as an organization, an island and a state, and we are committed to continue our efforts in providing vaccinations for those that have not been vaccinated,” she continued.
To help drive lagging vaccination numbers, the state earlier this month launched HI Got Vaccinated, an initiative to offer rewards and prizes for residents who get vaccinated.
“We haven’t seen a defined increase from either the incentive (program) or the travel restrictions being lifted, but it’s hard to say what’s motivating people to show up to get the vaccination at this point,” Wilson said.
HMC spokeswoman Elena Cabatu said the hospital is not considering incentivizing vaccinations because of the state’s incentive program.
QNHCH, however, will do its own cash drawing next month.
Anyone who receives a COVID-19 vaccine at QNHCH or at an off-site pop-up clinic hosted by the hospital by July 2 will be entered into a drawing to receive $500 cash.
Anyone who has already received their inoculation from the hospital will be automatically entered into the drawing.
“It’s difficult to determine how much of our volume is being driven by incentives, but any incentive that will motivate individuals to get vaccinated is well worth it, because an individual vaccination positively impacts the whole community,” Scully said.
Premier Medical has partnered with Malama Ia Hawaii to continue its community vaccination efforts with incentives.
From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Premier will be located outside S. Tokunaga Store. The first 100 people who are vaccinated will receive a $50 gift card for Tokunaga.
People who have already been vaccinated can come to Tokunaga with their vaccination card to receive 10% off their purchase on Friday, Saturday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
“We are working with so many people in the community, like S. Tokunaga and housing authorities, to get the vaccine to people,” said Lance Uchida with Malama Ia Hawaii. “I think offering incentives and making vaccines accessible will continue to encourage people to get the vaccine.”
According to Okamura, Malama Ia Hawaii — which she describes as a business that aims to keep Hawaii Island safe through COVID outreach, education, small business support and partnerships — also has provided gift cards, hand sanitizers and masks for those getting vaccinated at KTA clinics.
“It definitely seems to help boost sign-ups,” she said.
Email Stephanie Salmons at ssalmons@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.