Influenza Vaccination

According to the CDC, the flu shot can help people stay healthy during flu season, which usually starts in October, peaks in December, and can last through May.

With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing, it’s especially important to encourage flu shots as an additional action against contracting another respiratory viral infection and to help conserve scarce health care resources related to the pandemic.

Please discuss the importance of an annual flu shot with your patients. Remind them that flu shots are safe and free for all HMSA members. Providers should use every opportunity to encourage patients to get their flu shot where it’s convenient for them: At their doctor’s office, pharmacy, clinic, or any drive-through location. Following CDC guidance, annual flu shots are recommended for all members age 6 months and older. Some pharmacies may require a prescription to immunize minors in accordance with Hawaii Board of Pharmacy laws.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, providers should review current flu shot recommendations for guidance on the timing of administration and use of specific vaccines. All of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations are posted on the CDC webpage at cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/acip-recs/vacc-specific/flu.html.

We also recommend that providers review CDC’s Vaccination Guidance During a Pandemic: cdc.gov/vaccines/pandemic-guidance/index.html.

The CDC provides guidance on:

• Vaccination of people with suspected or confirmed COVID-19
• Vaccine administration during the COVID-19 pandemic
• General practices for the safe delivery of vaccination services
• Additional considerations for alternative vaccination sites

Plan Benefits

HMSA commercial plans cover immunizations in line with ACIP recommendations. More information can be found on HMSA commercial plan immunizations at hmsa.com/prc/claims/immunizations/.

For our QUEST Integration members, the Department of Health’s Vaccines for Children Program provides injectable materials at no cost to enrolled physicians and clinics to immunize children through 18 years of age. Therefore, injectable materials that are available through this program aren’t payable by QUEST Integration. If immunizations are given as part of an EPSDT screening examination or catch-up screening, the administration is paid as part of the EPSDT global fee and not reimbursed separately. For patients age 19 and older who aren’t part of the VFC program, the cost of the injectable materials is payable by QUEST Integration when billed using the NDC number.

More information on HMSA QUEST Integration immunizations can be found at hmsa.com/prc/plan-library-quest/quest-integration-immunizations/.

HMSA Medicare Advantage members follow the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services seasonal influenza vaccines schedule, which is available at cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Part-B-Drugs/McrPartBDrugAvgSalesPrice/VaccinesPricing.

Expanded Access Due to COVID-19

On Aug. 19, 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a third amendment to the Declaration under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act) (hhs.gov/sites/default/files/third-amendment-declaration.pdf [PDF]). The amendment authorizes state-licensed pharmacists and certain pharmacy interns to order and administer flu shots and other vaccines to individuals ages 3 to 18 years, subject to several requirements. This amendment is designed to increase access to lifesaving childhood flu shots and other vaccines and decrease the risk of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks. Please see the HHS article at hhs.gov/about/news/2020/08/19/hhs-expands-access-childhood-vaccines-during-covid-19-pandemic.html for more information.

We remind licensed pharmacists to comply with recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including informing the patient’s primary care provider when available, submitting the required immunization information to the state vaccine registry, complying with requirements for reporting adverse events, and complying with requirements that the person administering a vaccine must review the vaccine registry or other vaccination records before administering a vaccine. Licensed pharmacists must inform members and the adult caregivers accompanying children of the importance of a well-child visit with a pediatrician or other licensed primary care provider and refer patients as appropriate.

Flu Shot Locations

The Department of Health vaccine locator is an interactive map that will help find a vaccinating pharmacy or clinic by location: health.hawaii.gov/docd/vaccines-immunizations/vaccine-locators. (Note: This link may be out of date so call before going to verify location.)

2022 Flu Shot Pharmacy List

List is current as of August 11, 2022, and is subject to change.

Hawaii Island

• Costco
• KTA Superstores – All locations by appointment only
• Longs Drugs – All locations including Target
• Safeway – All locations
• Shiigi Drug
• Walmart – All locations

Kauai

• Costco
• Lihue Pharmacy
• Lihue Professional Pharmacy
• Longs Drugs – All locations including Target
• Safeway – All locations
• Walmart

Maui

• Costco
• Longs Drugs – All locations including Target
• Maui Clinic Pharmacy
• Mauliola Pharmacy
• Safeway – Locations with a pharmacy
• Times Pharmacy – All locations
• Walgreens – All locations
• Walmart
• Molokai
• Molokai Drugs

Molokai

• Molokai Drugs

Oahu

• 5 Minute Pharmacy – By appointment only
• Costco – All locations
• Discovery Bay Pharmacy
• Don Quijote – Kaheka, Waipahu
• Happy Pharmacy
• Longs Drugs – All locations including Target
• Medical Center Pharmacy
• Pharmacare – Pali Momi and Aiea by appointment only
• Queen’s POB Pharmacies
• Safeway – Locations with a pharmacy
• Sam’s Club – All locations
• Times Pharmacy – All locations
• Waimanalo Pharmacy
• Walgreens – All locations
• Walmart – All locations
• Weinstein Pharmacy

Revision History