WAILUKU — Maui Health last week began providing booster shots of the Pfizer vaccine to eligible individuals. This is in addition to its current vaccine administration of providing first, second and third doses to eligible residents.

The booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was recently endorsed by the CDC for certain populations.

The Healthcare Association of Hawaii (HAH) and the Hawaii State Department of Health (HDOH) further clarified the CDC prioritization of eligible populations.

Maui Health will be following the prioritization guidelines given by the CDC, HAH and the HDOH, which states that individuals who should have priority in receiving the booster dose include those who are at the highest risk for severe COVID-19 disease and/or hospitalization, have already received both doses of the Pfizer vaccine, with the last dose received at least six months ago, AND the following criteria: are 65 years of age or older, or nursing home residents, or assisted living residents, or foster homes and community care home residents, or individuals 50 to 64 years of age with underlying medical conditions, including cancer, diabetes, asthma, HIV infection, heart disease and obesity.

To accommodate the anticipated demand, the Maui Health COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic, located in the main lobby at Maui Memorial Medical Center, will be open five days a week from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 4 p.m.

Because of the anticipated high demand, appointments will be required.

Qualified community members can make an appointment in VAMS (https://vams.cdc.gov) for their booster dose.

The CDC also stated that those in high risk occupational and institutional settings, which includes health care workers, may receive the Pfizer booster dose.

Individuals who may get the Pfizer booster dose, but currently are not eligible to receive the booster at Maui Health, include:

Those who have already received both doses of the Pfizer vaccine, with the last dose received at least six months ago, AND the following criteria:

Are 18 to 49 years of age with underling medical conditions, based on individual benefit and risks, or are 18 to 64 years of age with increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting (includes healthcare, correctional facility staff and prisoners, and individuals in homeless shelters).

Maui Health noted, “We understand many community members are anxious to receive the booster dose, and we appreciate the willingness and desire to further protect yourself, your family, friends, and community. We hope to expand booster shot availability soon. For now, Maui Health will follow the prioritization guidelines provided by the CDC, HAH and HDOH and continue to focus on protecting our community’s most vulnerable.”

For the most up-to-date information, visit www.mauihealth.org/covidvaccine.