COVID-19 vaccinations for the Big Island’s homeless population are scheduled Wednesday, April 14 by HOPE Services Hawaii, West Hawaii Community Health Center and Bay Clinic.
Clinics will be held Wednesday in Hilo and Kona, HOPE Services CEO Brandee Menino told West Hawaii Today. The three groups have experience in outreach with the unsheltered, Menino said.
“Relationships with the houseless community is definitely key,” she said, adding that vaccines are voluntary.
The groups will also provide vaccines in shelters. West Hawaii Community Health Center will offer a vaccine clinic at the Friendly Place Resource Center in Kailua-Kona, the story said.
The clinics will offer the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, a one-dose regimen, according to West Hawaii Today.
“Johnson & Johnson offers a one-time option, and we don’t have to track them down for a second shot,” Menino said.
She acknowledged some people may decline the one-dose vaccine and prefer to receive Pfizer or Moderna shots after delivery of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was halted after vaccinations caused rare blood clots in a tiny minority of recipients.
The mission of HOPE Services Hawaii is to make homelessness “rare, brief, and nonrecurring,” the organization says on its website.
It operates eight shelters for men, women and families, noting, “We prioritize shelter on vulnerability and need.”
A program called “Rapid Rehousing” provides short-term financial assistance for and/or utilities, security and utility deposits, the organization said.
It also partners with other groups to provide affordable housing.
According to HOPE Services, 77% of Hawaii’s homeless have lived in Hawaii County for 20 years or more, 38% are children, 4% are veterans and 57% of homeless families are led by single mothers.
In 2019, HOPE Services helped 1,324 people, with 70% of them moving into permanent housing. The average length of stay in temporary housing was 91 days, the organization said.
Those interested in volunteering should email volunteer@hopeserviceshawaii.org to request an application.