Covid vaccine shots are currently in limited supply in Hawaii. Fortunately, the worst may be behind us.
The storage unit at Doctors of Waikiki is out of Covid vaccines.
"Like everything, when there's a higher demand, you have issues with getting certain products," said Dr. Tony Trpkovski. "And right now because we're seeing an uptick in Covid, we're seeing an increased demand for the vaccine."
Experts say that demand increased because of timing with graduations, summer-time get-togethers and peak travel season.
"We have a lot of people travelling," said Trpkovski. "Everyone's let their guard down. They're not wearing masks anymore."
The Healthcare Association of Hawaii says Covid cases heightened both locally and nationally. They said there are still about 100 positive patients here every day, but numbers have gone down.
"For this surge, and it's a fairly small surge," said Hilton Raethel, President and CEO of Healthcare Association of Hawaii. "It looks like we've reached a peak and looks like we're over that. It's not continuing to climb which is a good thing, but the lack of vaccine is a problem when there's so much covid in the community."
Raethel says healthcare workers have been hit hard recently.
"The current vaccine, if you can get it, will still provide protection and will still reduce the risk of hospitalization," said Raethel.
The Centers for Disease Control is scheduled to release the latest version of its vaccine later this fall. Until then, doctors advise the public to be precautious.
"If you're gonna be at an event, and you don't wanna catch anything, wear a mask," said Trpkovski. "Wash your hands. If you're sick and don't wanna pass it on, stay home."
Covid vaccines are fully covered by almost all health insurance providers, including medicare and medicaid. So not out of pocket costs for the patient.
"Because lot of people haven't been able to get the vaccine, and because in a few months we'll be heading into the flu season, and the RSV season, we would encourage everyone to get their vaccines, " said Raethel. "Flu, RSV and Covid."