HONOLULU (KHON2) — CVS Health on Friday, Sept. 24, announced select locations in Hawaii is now offering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster shot to those who meet certain criteria.

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky signed off on a series of recommendations from a panel of advisers late Thursday, opening a major new phase in the U.S vaccination drive against COVID-19.

Nearly 6,000 CVS stores across the nation will be administering the Pfizer booster, including 15 in Hawaii. Currently, those who received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine are not eligible for the booster. However, those who received the Moderna shot may receive an extra dose if eligible (see below.)

Here are the guidelines set by ACIP and CDC:

• Those 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer vaccine at least 6 months after their primary vaccine series.
• Those 50 to 64 with certain underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer vaccine at least 6 months after their primary vaccine series.
• Those 18 to 49 who are at high risk for severe COVID-19 due to certain underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer vaccine at least 6 months after their primary vaccine series, based on their individual benefits and risk.
• Those 18 to 64 who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer vaccine at least 6 months after their primary vaccine series.

Scheduling in advance is recommended for those seeking to get the booster shot. Click here to make an appointment.

EXTRA DOSE OF PFIZER OR MODERNA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Aug. 12 authorized the extra dose of the Pfizer and Moderna coronavirus vaccine for those with severely weakened immune systems to better protect them as the delta variant continues to spread.

At this time there is no recommendation for those who took the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Following U.S. approval, clinics in Hawaii began offering the extra COVID shots.

OAHU

• Adventist Health Castle clinic at Windward Mall — 12 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
  • Those who qualify as immunocompromised can receive a third dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Individuals must be at least 12 years old and have received their second dose at least 28 days before receiving their third dose.
  • Walk-ins are accepted. Appointments can be made here. Call 808-263-5002 for more info.
• Queen’s Health Systems has begun administering third doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine at its vaccination clinics to immunocompromised individuals. Those who qualify will be asked to attest to the condition they have making them eligible for a booster vaccine.
  • Click here for more info. Call 808-691-2222 to make an appointment. Walk-ins are accepted.
• Hawai‘i Pacific Health began (HPH) offering COVID booster shots on Aug. 13. For the Oahu sites, appointments are encouraged, however, walk-ins are also accepted. Click here to make an appointment. Here are the upcoming dates and locations.
  • Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children — Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Aiea High School — Monday, Aug. 16, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Moanalua High School – Tuesday, Aug. 17, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Hawaii Pacific University at Aloha Tower Marketplace – Wednesday, Aug. 18, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Farrington High School – Thursday, Aug. 19, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Kailua High School – Friday, Aug. 20, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

KAUAI (HPH CLINICS)

• Wilcox Medical Center – Wednesday, Aug. 18, Noon to 4 p.m. Click here to schedule an appointment.
• Kapa‘a Neighborhood Center – Thursday, Aug. 19, Noon to 3 p.m. (walk-in only)
• Līhu‘e Neighborhood Center – Friday, Aug. 20, Noon to 3 p.m. (walk-in only)
• Wainiha Country Market – Saturday, Aug. 21, Noon to 3 p.m. (walk-in only)

HAWAII COUNTY

• Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital (for immunocompromised patients) — Wednesdays and Fridays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Click here to schedule an appointment.

Examples of those who may quality for the booster shot include patients undergoing active treatment for solid tumor and hematologic malignancies, recipients of solid-organ transplant and taking immunosuppressive therapy, those with advanced or untreated HIV, chronic dialysis patients and patients
with medical conditions with varied immunodeficiency such as sickle cell disease, end stage renal disease and chronic liver disease.

Although it’s not required to receive the same brand as their previous vaccine doses, it is preferred. You must have received your second dose at least 28 days prior to receiving a third dose.