COVID-19 Vaccination FAQ
Once we learned that all hospitality workers will be included in Phase 1c of COVID-19 vaccinations, we quickly submitted the contact information that we have on file for our members to the State Department of Health. We have confirmation that the state has begun to reach out to our members to book their vaccination appointments. We are reaching out to hotel management, calling on each of them to grant paid time off to workers for their vaccination appointments.
We realize that many of you have questions regarding the COVID-19 Vaccination program. The FAQ below is designed to help answer those questions.
Q: I heard that some of my co-workers are being contacted by the DOH saying UNITE HERE Local 5 provided them with their email address. How do I get on this list?
A: Local 5 provided to the DOH email addresses of members who previously provided us with their email via Plugged-In. If you would like to get Plugged-In go onto our website https://www.unitehere5.org/pluggedin/ and fill out the form asking for text and email updates. You may also ask your organizer for a plugged-in card or call the Local 5 office. Local 5 also provided any Plugged-In phone numbers so if the DOH did not email you, please be patient as they intend to call all of our members to be sure they know about the program and to help set up appointments if needed.
Q: If I did not get emailed the link, is there another way to register for the vaccine?
A: Yes, go the Department of Heath main Vaccination Registration page at: https://hawaiicovid19.com/vaccination-registration/
As of March 18, appointments were available at HPH, Kaiser or Queen’s (see below), however you may periodically check the DOH webpage above for additional locations:
- Hawaii Pacific Health: https://www.hawaiipacifichealth.org/hph-covid-19-updates/vaccine-update/
- Kaiser Permanente: https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/hawaii/health-wellness/coronavirus-information/covid-vaccine
If you’re unable to schedule your appointment online, call (808) 432-2000 (TTY 711), Mon – Fri, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Queen’s Health Systems: https://covid.queens.org/vaccine/
COVID-19 Vaccination Line: (808) 691-2222, Mon. – Fri., 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
COVID-19 Infoline: (808) 691-2619 Mon. – Fri., 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sat. – Sun., 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. - FilCom CARES: http://filcom.org/center/covid-19/. Call (808) 895-4103 to make an appointment. Assistance in Ilocano and Tagalog available.
- For those that have provided their phone numbers to Local 5 prior, the DOH will be calling you to assist in making appointments. They ask for your patience.
Q: I received the email from DOH with a link to the Windward Health Center site, but it is no longer working. What should I do?
A: It is no longer working because they changed the location of the vaccination site. If you would like to be vaccinated in Kaneohe at Windward Community College and you received an e-mail from DOH with registration links that have stopped working, the updated links are:
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- For 1st dose Moderna Vaccine: https://BHAmastervaccine.as.me/FIRSTdoseWCC
- For single dose Johnson and Johnson Vaccine: https://BHAmastervaccine.as.me/JandJatWindwardPOD
If there are no available appointment dates and times, check back later using the link as new dates and times open as vaccine supply arrives in Hawaii.
Please do not share the links in this Answer.
Q: I went to Windward Health Center to get my vaccine and it was shut down. What do I do?
A: Anyone who has an appointment at Windward Health Center, please go to Windward Community College at your scheduled time. The site has been permanently changed due to inclement weather.
Q: I was told by my Employer that they submitted a list to the DOH. How does that help me?
A: Local 5 submitted all of our members names to the DOH except for healthcare workers. Your Employer may have submitted names to the DOH also. Currently, all hospitality/hotel/food service/bar workers are eligible under Phase 1c so it does not matter if your name is on a “list”. You will still be able to self-schedule.
Q: When I went onto the site, it states that there are no more vaccination appointments available. What do I do?
A: Continue checking the different locations. As vaccines arrive in Hawaii and are distributed among the different providers and they will open more appointments. There may also be what they call pop-ups. For various reasons (appointment cancellations, no-shows, etc) appointments may open up. Continue to check the websites.
Q: What if I can get an appointment earlier. Can I switch?
A: Yes, when you get your confirmation, there is a button that allows you to cancel your appointment or allows you to reschedule. If you are booking another appointment, please remember to cancel your first one. This is very important as it now allows someone else to be scheduled.
Q: What do I fill in when it asks for insurance and I have none?
A: Put in “other” and then put in “N/A”.
Q: Will there be a charge if I have no insurance?
A: There is no charge for the vaccination.
Q: What do I fill in when it asks for the “category”?
A: Most sites have a drop-down menu. Click on “hospitality” or “hotel”.
Q: One site that I went to asked me for a “code”. What do I do?
A: We are not distributing any codes. Hawaii is in Phase 1c and the fact that you are a hospitality/hotel/restaurant/bar worker makes you eligible to receive the vaccine.
Q: If I am scheduled to work on the day of my appointment, will my Employer let me off?
A: We believe your Employer should give you the time off with pay, however most of our Employers have not yet agreed. Please continue to push your Employer for paid time to get the vaccine. Let your branch leader, shop steward, or organizer know. Getting the vaccine will benefit all of us.