HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) is adopting new guidelines from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on COVID-19 booster vaccinations. Effective immediately all adults age 18 and older who completed their primary mRNA vaccinations of Pfizer or Moderna at least six months ago are eligible for boosters. The following recipients ...
Read More Booster eligibility expands
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HONOLULU – Food safety can help you avoid foodborne illnesses during holiday feasts when you gather with your family or a few close friends. Food safety starts when you bring food home to prepare your meals and continues through the storing of any leftovers. “Thanksgiving and other holidays are really big for those in our ...
Read More Five food safety tips for enjoying holiday meals
HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) is issuing guidance to a Kaua‘i church and its congregation because of the imminent health threat posed by a large cluster of COVID-19 cases. King’s Chapel, Kaua‘i, in Nawiliwili congregants are encouraged to participate in virtual services and avoid in-person church activities until the cluster is contained. ...
Read More Large COVID-19 cluster warrants caution on Kaua’i
HONOLULU – A Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) analysis of vaccine breakthrough data found COVID-19 vaccines provide excellent protection against hospitalization and death. A vaccine breakthrough infection occurs when a fully vaccinated person tests positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Individuals are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after completing their initial vaccine series. ...
Read More Vaccines prove effective in analysis of Hawaiʻi COVID-19 breakthrough data
HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) today ordered Embry Health to immediately cease and desist collecting specimens for COVID-19 tests in the State of Hawai‘i without a license, permit or written approval. DOH also levied a $207,000 administrative penalty. Embry Health has been operating COVID-19 testing collection depots on O‘ahu and Hawai‘i Island. ...
Read More Hawai‘i Department of Health issues cease & desist, 7,000 penalty to Embry Health for conducting unauthorized COVID-19 testing
HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) was awarded a $2.2 million grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to train, deploy and engage community health workers as part of its public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Community health workers are frontline health workers who provide assistance in accessing ...
Read More .2 Million grant to augment community health workforce training programs statewide
Honolulu – Trace levels of the chemicals Dieldrin and Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) were detected in water samples collected at the Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) Pearl City Shaft and Aina Koa Well I, respectively. Both drinking water sources are part of the Honolulu-Windward-Pearl Harbor water system. Drinking water from these sources remains safe, as ...
Read More Trace levels of contaminants detected in two O‘ahu drinking water sources during testing
HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) and the City and County of Honolulu Emergency Services Department (HESD) in partnership with Hawai‘i Pacific Health are announcing the start of a new program to provide alternate emergency care treatment site options for O’ahu residents and visitors in Kapolei. Beginning this week, Kapolei patients have the ...
Read More Hawai‘i Department of Health, City & County of Honolulu Emergency Services Department announce a new emergency medical care treatment site option for O‘ahu emergency patients
HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health is authorizing certified vaccination providers to administer Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children age 5-11 immediately. This authorization is consistent with recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today. “The CDC reviewed the clinical data and determined the vaccine is safe. The Pfizer vaccine is effective ...
Read More Vaccine for children safe and effective
HONOLULU – The Hawai’i Department of Health (DOH) will offer free COVID-19 rapid testing at the Lanakila Health Center Saturday, October 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Testing will be done on a first-come, first-serve basis. Appointments are not required. Wait times can vary, but please anticipate waiting 30 minutes or longer. Results will ...
Read More Free COVID testing at Lanakila Health Center
Violations uncovered during 2020 DOH inspection of Red Hill, result of stronger federal & state regulations to protect environment HONOLULU – The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) Environmental Health Administration issued Notice of Violation and Order (NOVO) No. 21-UST-EA-01 to the U.S. Navy for violations related to operation and maintenance of the Red Hill Bulk ...
Read More Following inspection, Hawai‘i Department of Health issues Notice of Violation and Order to U.S. Navy with over 5,000 in penalties
HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health will adopt the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) guidelines on COVID-19 booster doses for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. “Boosters doses are common for many vaccines and will provide additional protection to Hawai‘i residents at higher risk for severe illness or occupational exposure,” said ...
Read More DOH authorizes booster doses for Moderna, Johnson & Johnson vaccines
HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) is planning for the likely administration of COVID-19 vaccinations to children 5-11 as it closely monitors federal review of the Pfizer vaccine for this age group. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must authorize use of the vaccine and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and ...
Read More DOH prepares for likely authorization of COVID-19 vaccine for keiki 5-11
HONOLULU – Open enrollment for Medicare began Oct. 15 and continues through Dec. 7 for those who are eligible, but enrolling can be challenging. The Hawaii State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is offering one-hour, in-person counseling on Oct. 22 & 29 and Nov. 9 & 19 on O‘ahu, with phone and video counseling options ...
Read More Free in-person help for enrolling in Medicare
More than 420,000 not fully vaccinated HONOLULU – Data compiled by the Hawai’i Department of Health (DOH) show more than one-million people in Hawai‘i are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. “It’s great to see so many people in Hawai‘i follow the science. We are thrilled that over a million people are fully vaccinated. That leaves an ...
Read More One million in Hawai‘i complete vaccinations
HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) has issued a red placard to Kamana Indian Cuisine Restaurant in Kailua-Kona on Hawai‘i Island. The food establishment has been closed and ordered to correct multiple food safety violations, which include roach infestation of the kitchen and food storage areas, evidence of active rodent infestation, and additional health ...
Read More Hawai‘i Department of Health issues red placard to Kamana Indian Cuisine Restaurant in Kailua-Kona
HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) is offering guidance to help families have a safe and fun Halloween. “Celebrating Halloween is a special event for families, and it is possible to take steps to celebrate safely. Outdoor gatherings are safer, and consistent handwashing and mask wearing are recommended,” said Director of Health Dr. ...
Read More Hawai‘i Department of Health Offers Halloween Safety Guidance
More than 426,000 Hawai‘i Residents Have Not Completed Vaccination HONOLULU – Hawai‘i Department of Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Char released the following statement on 70% of Hawaii residents completing COVID-19 vaccination: “While we are encouraged that 70% of Hawai‘i residents have made the choice to protect themselves and our community through vaccination, there is more ...
Read More As DOH Marks 70% of Hawai‘i Residents Fully Vaccinated, Director Char Urges Continued Vigilance
Department of Health launches media campaign encouraging safe sleep practices for infants HONOLULU – October is Safe Sleep and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month, and the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health (DOH) just launched a media campaign to educate parents and caregivers on how to keep infants safe while sleeping. SIDS is the ...
Read More October is Safe Sleep and SIDS Awareness Month
Vaccination critical to protect against both illnesses HONOLULU – Dr. Sarah Kemble, Hawaiʻi Department of Health state epidemiologist, released the following statement on mortality rates involving COVID-19 and influenza: “In Hawaiʻi and around the world, COVID-19 was far deadlier than the flu during the 2020-2021 flu season. There was one confirmed influenza death in Hawaiʻi ...
Read More DOH: COVID-19 far deadlier than influenza