DOH ENCOURAGES HAWAIʻI RESIDENTS TO STAY UP TO DATE ON FLU AND COVID-19 VACCINES AS VIRUS ACTIVITY INCREASES

HONOLULU - The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) is encouraging Hawaiʻi residents to take common-sense precautions against influenza, COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses as respiratory virus activity increases across the state.

Recent DOH surveillance shows influenza activity has increased, with 20.3% of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza during the week of Sept. 23-30, 2026, up from the previous week. DOH continues to monitor COVID-19 activity through its statewide surveillance systems and reports that cases have begun to decrease..

"Respiratory viruses circulate year-round in Hawaiʻi and we are seeing increased activity as we enter the fall respiratory virus season," said Hawaiʻi State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble. "Getting recommended vaccines, staying home when you are sick and taking simple precautions around others can help reduce the spread of illness and protect people who are more vulnerable to severe disease."

The West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA), which includes Hawaiʻi, recently issued its 2026-2027 respiratory virus season immunization recommendations. WCHA recommends annual influenza vaccination for everyone 6 months and older, as well as updated COVID-19 vaccination for specific higher risk populations, including all children ages 6-23 months, all adults age 65 years and older and people ages 2-64 years with risk factors.

WCHA also recommends COVID-19 vaccination for people who are planning pregnancy, are pregnant or postpartum, for healthcare workers and other people who live or work closely with individuals at higher risk, and anyone else who chooses vaccination to reduce the risk of severe illness.

"People should talk with their healthcare provider about which vaccines are recommended for them and whether they are up to date," Kemble said. "The updated vaccines are an important tool for reducing the risk of severe illness, particularly for people at higher risk."

In addition to vaccination, DOH recommends several straightforward steps to help prevent respiratory illness:

• Stay home when sick. Stay home until you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication and other symptoms are mild and improving.
• Consider wearing a mask. Masks can provide additional protection, particularly in crowded indoor settings, when respiratory virus activity is high or when spending time around people at higher risk of severe illness.
• Improve indoor air. Open doors or windows, use air purifiers or gather outdoors when possible.
• Practice good hygiene. Wash hands regularly and cover coughs and sneezes.
• Test and seek treatment when appropriate. People at higher risk for severe disease who develop respiratory symptoms should contact their healthcare provider. Antiviral medications for COVID-19 and influenza work best when started as soon as possible.

People at increased risk for severe respiratory illness include kūpuna, young children, pregnant people, people with weakened immune systems and people with certain underlying medical conditions. People who live with or regularly care for someone at higher risk can also take additional precautions to reduce the likelihood of spreading illness.

DOH encourages residents to talk with their healthcare provider about their individual vaccination needs and to use reliable health information as respiratory virus activity changes.

For more information about respiratory viruses, COVID-19, influenza and vaccination recommendations, visit the Hawaiʻi Department of Health respiratory virus resources at health.hawaii.gov/docd/disease-types/respiratory-viruses/.

West Coast Health Alliance Vaccine Guidance

1. COVID-19 vaccine is available for persons 6 months and older.
2. Two doses given at least 4 weeks apart are recommended for ages 6 months-8 years who are getting flu vaccine for the first time.
3. Protect infants with either prenatal RSV vaccine or infant dose of nirsevimab or clesrovimab.
4. RSV vaccination during pregnancy or for adults is currently recommended once rather than annually.

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