Hawai’i DOH Backs GreenS Emergency Order Expanding COVID Vaccine Access
HONOLULU, HI – The Hawai’i Department of Health (DOH) is supporting Governor Josh Green‘s emergency order to broaden access to COVID-19 vaccines, a move that directly challenges recent restrictions imposed by the Food and Drug Management (FDA). State Epidemiologist Sarah Kemble voiced concerns that the FDA’s new guidelines, which limit eligibility, are “vague and unspecific,” making it “muddier to tell who is actually eligible.”
The FDA recently argued for limited access, citing considerably reduced COVID-related hospitalization rates compared to 2020, as detailed in an August memorandum. However, Kemble disputes this assessment, stating, “It’s not even clear that hospitalization has come down a ton.” State DOH data reveals a spike in COVID hospitalizations over the summer, peaking in late August with an average of 8 new admissions per day – the highest rate since August 2024.
kemble highlighted the ambiguity surrounding “underlying conditions” that qualify individuals for vaccination. She noted that conditions like habitual smoking, being overweight, or diabetes could indicate higher risk from COVID-19, but it remains unclear if these would meet the FDA’s criteria.
Currently, two Moderna vaccines are available. Spikevax, an updated version of the 2024 shot, is authorized for those as young as 6 months old. mNEXSPIKE carries stricter limitations, available only to individuals aged 12-65 at high risk of severe COVID-19 impacts.
Kemble emphasized that “a big body of evidence” continues to demonstrate the benefits of COVID vaccination outweigh the risks and questioned the justification for the FDA’s rule changes, stating, “I can definitely say the FDA’s rule changes don’t refer to any new evidence to justify the changes.”
The DOH’s endorsement comes after a “careful review of the legal landscape” by the state Attorney General, though the AG’s office declined to comment on the Governor’s authority to defy federal rules.
While the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends shared decision-making between patients and healthcare providers regarding vaccination, Kemble cautioned that many Hawai’i residents lack access to primary care physicians, making such recommendations difficult to implement.
