Gov. David Ige and First Lady Dawn Amano-Ige, accompanied by 65 cabinet and staff members, received their first COVID-19 vaccinations earlier this week.

The governor and first lady received the Moderna vaccine and are scheduled for their second dose in late March.

A statement from the Governorʻs office said Ige had delayed getting vaccinated earlier because of the shortage of vaccines arriving in Hawai‘i. “I felt there was an urgent need to get nursing home residents, our kupuna 75 years and older, healthcare professionals, teachers and other essential workers vaccinated first. I urge Hawai‘i residents to get vaccinated when it’s your turn, and to continue wearing your mask, physically distancing and washing your hands often,” said Gov. Ige.

(AP Photo/Marco Garcia)