Covid Immunization Hawai'i Update to ENA

As your Hawai'i State Council President, I had the honor to be asked to sit in representation of Nursing on the Govenor's Corona Vaccine Medical Advisory Work Group.  We have met regularly throughout the Covid Crisis, most recently earlier tonight (Monday, April 26th).  I thought I would share a few brief bullet points  from that meeting. 

Johnson & Johnson Vaccine. Stung by a number of problems: 15 million wasted doses, shipping delays and administration briefly on hold as both Adenovirus vaccines have been linked to cases of clots, primarily in females, 1-2 weeks post administration.  The CDC met Friday to review the evidence and has cleared J&J to resume administration. The risk is literrally 15 cases in 7.99 MILLION administrations. Totally different mechanism then the clots associated with BC pills and the treatment quite successful as long as you avoid the use of Heparin. A risk statement will now be added to the inserts. However, the risk is so low compaired to the risks of Covid and to be negligible, particulary given the advantages of a one shot dose requime. 

Hawai'i Covid. Hawai'i has now administered well over 1 million immunizations, #3 in US. Hawai'i is matching rest of country in the presence of varients. Regretfully we are approaching 500 total deaths. 

US Covid. Anyone age 16 and over is now elegible. Pfizer is increasing availability 10%. Moderna increasing vials from 10 to 15 doses per vial and both have increased storage availability after defrost and puncture. The vaccines seem to cover all the known varients to date. 

Continue to "spread the word" about the value of ALL the immunization types, of masking, of social distancing, and of good hygiene. We are starting to turn the corner and stem the tide of Corona.  Be safe out there, 

Steven D. Hobbs Ph.D., R.N., BC, CEN, CCRN, TCRN

President HSC-ENA