Booster shots for keiki ages 5-11 could be coming to the Big Island as early as next week, pending approval by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday its authorization of a third Pfizer dose for all children 5-11 at least five months after their two-dose primary series.
The CDC’s scientific advisers are expected to meet Thursday to discuss formally recommending the additional shot.
“Once we get the standing orders from the CDC, we should start (administering shots) next week,” said Bay Clinic CEO Kimo Alameda. Bay Clinic is currently awaiting the smaller doses to arrive, as boosters for those ages 5-11 are one-third the size of those for ages 12-plus.
“Kids are finishing up with school, and there’s summer travel,” Alameda said. “I think we’re going to get pretty busy.”
For the 5-11 age group, 42% of children statewide have received their first dose of a vaccine, with 38% having completed their two-dose primary series. This is higher than the national average, where as of May, the CDC reports 28.6% of those 5-11 have completed their two-dose series since distribution began in November.
So far, booster shots have been primarily utilized by older age groups. For Hawaii residents 75-plus, 80% have received an additional dose. For those between the ages of 65-74, 77% have received a booster.
“I am pleasantly surprised and have seen the older population getting their additional boosters, which is good,” Alameda said.
The turnout for boosters starts to drop among those 50-64, with 56% receiving the additional shot. For those between the ages of 40-49, 43% have received an additional dose, and for those between 25-39, the total drops again to just 28% of the group having received their booster.
All individuals 50-plus are now eligible for a second booster shot as well, along with certain immunocompromised individuals in lower age groups.
Turnout for boosters is the lowest for the 12-17 age group in Hawaii, where as of May 8, just 23% have gotten the extra shot.
When asked if he would recommend the booster for those in the 5-11 age group, Alameda responded, “Absolutely.”
“We move with caution,” he added. “We pay attention to what recommendations are being made, and we don’t just jump in, especially at Bay Clinic.”
Pfizer and BioNTech make the only COVID-19 vaccine available for those ages 5 or older in the United States. Vaccinations for those under the age of 5 are expected to be evaluated by the FDA next month.
The CDC estimates three out of four U.S. children already have been infected with the coronavirus since the pandemic began as cases continue to rise throughout both the state and country.
Hawaii County reported 718 new cases last week, up nearly 200 from the week before.
Throughout the state, the 0-17 age group averaged 264 new cases over a weeklong period, higher than the average for those 65-plus, listed at 210 new cases per week.
For Hawaii County, more than 150,000 individuals have received at least one dose of the vaccine, accounting for 75% of the total population. This is lower than the vaccination rates for Honolulu, Kauai and Maui counties.
Bay Clinic is continuing to offer vaccinations at its different locations throughout the Big Island.
“We’ve dedicated a whole clinic for vaccinations,” Alameda said, noting the location at 305 Wailuku Drive is open Monday-Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
“It’s super safe,” he added, regarding the boosters. “They wouldn’t approve it if it wasn’t.”
Associated Press contributed to this article.
Email Grant Phillips at gphillips@hawaiitribune-herald.com.