With new COVID warrants on the way, no more queues to get vaccinated

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Before the expanded vaccine or testing requirements go into effect, more residents are choosing to be vaccinated.

Honolulu City Council member Radiant Cordero held a COVID vaccine and testing clinic at Farrington High School on Saturday, and said about 30 people were there to receive their first dose.

Cordero said there were around 200 people on Friday to get a jab.

Criselda Dela Cruz, from Honolulu, works in a restaurant and has come to the clinic to get the shot.

“It is mandatory for us, the employees, to be vaccinated,” said Dela Cruz. “So it’s like I’m forcing myself to do it. “

Luis Timtimin, from Kalihi, was also there for work.

“Because I wanted to get my CDL I guess and the staff demanded it,” Timtimin said.

Some 64.9% of the state’s population are fully immunized, according to the state’s health department. As of Friday, the number of eligible residents not vaccinated was just over 175,000.

Dela Cruz and Timtimin said they had no plans to get the shot at all if additional restrictions were not put in place.

“I have been here for so long and have never had [the] flu shot, ”said Dela Cruz.

Add TimTimin, “I’m just scared of needles, that’s all.”

Cordero believes that vaccination warrants encourage more people to get vaccinated.

“There are more opportunities to show their card and enter a business or continue their business as usual,” Cordero said. “So we are seeing the increase in vaccinations because of this.”

State representative Sonny Ganaden agreed.

“With the new county and state rules, there are a lot of people working in the service industry, working in transportation,” he said.

“So it’s very important that they get vaccinated and tested, so that they can keep their jobs. “

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