(BIVN) – Hawaiʻi officials are already preparing for a statewide COVID-19 vaccination program, even though a federally approved vaccine is not expected to be available for months.

Governor David Ige held a news conference Thursday to talk about a preliminary plan to implement a COVID-19 vaccination when it becomes available. The news conference was livestreamed over Facebook.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health provided this news release:

Although a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration is not expected to be widely available until early next year, state and county officials and private-sector partners have already prepared a preliminary plan to implement a COVID-19 vaccination program in the state. More than 150 stakeholders representing more than 90 organizations gathered late yesterday to kick off their vaccination work groups.

The vaccination plan, which is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is intended to reduce COVID‐19‐related illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths.

“Epidemiologists who study immunity say at least 60% to 70% of the population need to have immunity to a virus to break the chain of transmission. Vaccinations can help accelerate immunity in our community so we want Hawai‘i to be fully prepared and ready to implement our vaccination plan as soon as a viable vaccine that is safe and effective becomes available,” said Gov. David Ige. “The impact of our vaccination program and its effectiveness in managing the disease will largely depend upon our ability to allocate and administer the vaccine effectively and efficiently. This is as important as the vaccine itself.”

“We’re still refining our vaccination plan, but we felt it was important to share what we are developing and provide a preview of what to expect,” said Lt. Gov. Josh Green. “This has to be a coordinated effort between the state and counties. It will also require extensive outreach and education to healthcare providers and their patients. Everyone’s kokua is critical to the success of the vaccination plan, so we must make sure everyone’s roles and responsibilities are clearly defined.”

“A COVID-19 vaccination has been presented as our ticket to better health and restoration of a sense of normalcy,” said Dr. Elizabeth Char, director of health. “But it’s incumbent upon the Department of Health’s Disease Outbreak Control Division Immunization Branch and our partners to lead this initiative and make sure we get this right, starting with using a safe and effective, FDA-approved vaccine.”

Since there will initially be limited vaccine supplies, the vaccine will initially be made available to those who fall within four priority groups.

(1) The first group includes high-risk healthcare employees at hospitals, nursing homes or are engaged in home care, and others involved with direct patient care. First responders who have high risk for COVID-19 exposure also fall into this group. Hawaii residents of all ages who have underlying health conditions, including those 65 and older who live in congregate settings are also included in this first group;

(2) The second priority group includes K-12 teachers and school staff as well as those in essential industries. It also includes those with underlying health conditions that put them at moderately higher risk. People in homeless shelters or group homes with physical or mental disabilities and workers who serve them also fall into this category. People in prisons, jails, detention centers, and similar facilities, and staff who work in these settings as well as all adults age 65 and older also fall within this second priority group.

(3) The third priority group are young adults 18 to 22 years old and children, from newborn to 17 years old. It also includes employees in industries or occupations not in the previous groups that are considered essential but face increased risk of exposure.

(4) The fourth group includes all Hawaii residents who did not fall in any of the other priority groups.

Char noted that an effective rollout will also be dependent upon “ancillary supplies” such as syringes, needles, and appropriate PPE, and this is being addressed in the vaccination plan.

The Department of Health plans to use the educational tools developed by the CDC for the public to conduct self-screening for vaccines and provide a vaccination finder tool for those who fall in the priority groups.

An executive summary of the State’s draft COVID-19 vaccination distribution plan can be found here.