KCH, HMC to End Public COVID Vaccine Clinics

Kona Community Hospital and Hilo Medical Center will be ending their public COVID-19 vaccination clinics over the next several weeks.

HMC’s last clinic will take place May 15. All vaccination efforts will shift to the Arc of Hilo, located, 1099 Waianuenue Avenue. The facility is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Both hospitals only offer the Pfizer vaccine, which currently the only one approved for children 16 years and older. Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are approved for recipients 18 years and older.

As of December 23, HMC has administered more than 36,000 doses.

In collaboration with the Department of Health and West Hawai‘i Community Health Center, KCH opened its mass clinics on Feb. 25 at the Kona Community Aquatic Center gym. The operation will end on May 27. KCH is working closely with Premier Medical Group (PMG) as they step in to take on the administration of the Pfizer vaccination for West Hawaii residents.

As the number of residents receiving the vaccine against COVID-19 has increased, KCH officials say, the demand has lessened to a manageable level.”

“We have been honored to play a primary role in this very important public health initiative to provide vaccinations to our community,” KCH stated in a press release Wednesday, April 28.

Since the clinic began to April 27, the clinic has administered 19,940 first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine. As of April 26, Kohala Hospital has administered 614 first and second doses.

The final day for the weekly KCH clinic with be May 27. First doses will be administered through the final day and second doses will be provided by PMG in June.

The final day for the KCH clinic at the hospital will be May 28. Again, PMG will pick up the second dose for anyone who receives a shot that day.

PMG’s first clinic day is scheduled for June 17.