Yesterday, Governor Green issued an Emergency Proclamation to protect public access to COVID-19 vaccines in Hawaiʻi following recent decisions by the federal government affecting vaccine availability.

Last month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) limited approval of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to individuals over 65 years old and people as young as 6 months with at least one underlying medical condition. This left healthy children and adults under 65 without a clear pathway to protection, despite evidence that the vaccines are safe and effective.

On September 19, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for individuals over the age of 6 months subject to shared clinical decision-making. The recent ACIP vote imposes a new process for pharmacists that creates confusion and hesitancy to administer the COVID-19 vaccine, because it is unclear what actions pharmacists must take to satisfy these new requirements.

This emergency proclamation allows Hawaiʻi pharmacists to continue providing the vaccine to anyone age 3 and older who wants it, in accordance with the West Coast Health Alliance COVID-19 vaccine recommendations — without requiring a doctor’s prescription.

Hawaiʻi’s action aligns with the recommendations of the West Coast Health Alliance — a partnership with California, Oregon and Washington — which has emphasized science-based, consistent public health guidance across member states. The Hawaiʻi Department of Health has reviewed these recommendations and affirmed them as evidence-based practices that protect families and communities.

The Emergency Proclamation is effective immediately and will remain in effect through November 22, 2025, unless terminated or superseded earlier.

 

AP Photo