Kaiser Permanente vaccinates ‘kupuna’ for COVID-19

HONOLULU — The state’s largest integrated health care provider held its first large-scale COVID-19 vaccination event today at Kaiser Permanente Mapunapuna Medical Office, administering the COVID-19 vaccine to more than 1,600 ‘kupuna,’ or elder, members age 75 years and older. Today’s event is part of phase 1b of Kaiser Permanente’s vaccination rollout in Hawaii, which prioritizes kupuna members and will soon include vaccinations for front-line essential workers. Kaiser Permanente is also continuing vaccinations for phase 1a, which offers vaccines to health care workers including community providers such as independent physicians and dentists.

"The past 10 months have taken an unprecedented toll on our members and the community, and our physicians, nurses, and clinical staff, so today marks a tremendous milestone in helping to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Hawaii,” said John Yang, MD, president and medical director, Hawaii Permanente Medical Group. “We thank our members for their patience as we vaccinate our most vulnerable kupuna first, and we look forward to rolling out the vaccine to more people over the coming months.”

Kaiser Permanente members age 75 and older on Oahu are being notified via email, text, and kp.org to schedule their vaccination appointment online. Those not already registered on kp.org are encouraged to register today by visiting kp.org/register. 

Kaiser Permanente members who have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine can call the public vaccine hotline at 1-855-550-0951 (TTY 711) or visit kp.org/covidvaccine.

About Kaiser Permanente

For 75 years, Kaiser Permanente has been committed to shaping the future of health and health care — and helping our members, patients, and communities experience more healthy years. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Since July 21, 1945, Kaiser Permanente’s mission has been to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.4 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health.