Representatives Kitagawa, Matayoshi sponsor 3rd Windward Community drive-thru flu shot clinic

By

Nicole Pasia

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Representatives Lisa Kitagawa and Scot Z. Matayoshi are sponsoring a community drive-thru flu shot clinic at Windward Community College September 10. Times Pharmacy will administer the flu shots on a first-come, first-served basis from 9 a.m. to noon at the college. Those who would like a flu shot should bring their insurance card, including insurance cards for children, as well as their photo ID. The regular flu shot is $55 for those who do not have insurance, but most insurance plans cover all or nearly all of the cost.  Senior doses will also be available. Wearing a mask is encouraged.

“Our healthcare system is still feeling the effects of the ongoing pandemic,” said Representative Matayoshi (D-49, Kāne‘ohe, Maunawili, Olomana). “We are still critically short of nursing and medical staff due to burnout.  Getting your flu shot is an easy and safe way to take some of the burden off our hospitals and medical personnel.”

Parents who have children are encouraged to bring their children, 3 years of age and older, to this drive-thru flu shot event, especially since flu shot clinics at public schools have been discontinued this year.  With the school year starting, the flu shot provides parents with a great way to keep their children and families safe.

“Providing a drive-thru clinic at WCC makes it very easy and safe for residents to bring in their families and get this protective flu shot quickly and easily,” said Representative Kitagawa (D-48, Kāneʻohe, Kahaluʻu, Waiāhole). “I want to thank Times Pharmacy and Windward Community College for making this critical event possible.”

Windward Community Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinic 

9 a.m to noon, Saturday September 10 

Lower Parking Lot near Hale A‘o, 45-720 Kea‘ahala Road 

Bring Insurance information and Photo ID 

Masks are encouraged. 

Times Pharmacy contracts with all major insurance providers (HMA, HMAA, HMSA, Kaiser, UHA, TRICARE, PSWA, Hawaii Laborers Union, Medicare and Quest). Most insurance providers cover the cost of the flu vaccine completely with $0 copay, but there are some cases where the vaccine wouldn’t be covered 100%. Union insurance policies have a small copay of the total cost of the flu vaccine.

Times will invoice the clinic participant if they do have a copay. Times will also be providing senior dose shots for those 65 years of age and older. If the clinic participant’s insurance does not cover the flu vaccine, the cash price for the regular vaccine is $55 and $75 for the senior dose shot.

For individuals who do not have a vehicle, walk-in flu shots will also be available in the Hale A‘oparking lot.

While getting a flu vaccine will not protect against COVID-19, flu vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization, and death, and getting a flu vaccine can also save healthcare resources for the care of patients with COVID-19 or other emergency health needs.

To help the process go smoother, community members are encouraged to complete the registration paperwork ahead of time by visiting the following website: bit.ly/3Qzqiay.

For more information call Rep. Matayoshi at (808) 586-8470 or Rep. Kitagawa at (808) 586-8540.

This press release was provided by the Hawaii House Majority Communications Office.