COVID boosters could soon be required for travelers to enter Hawaii. What to know

If you’re planning to take a trip to Hawaii for a taste of its tropical islands or maybe a visit to see family or friends, make sure you’re familiar with the state’s COVID-19 travel measures.

Soon, travelers might need a COVID-19 booster shot, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to be considered fully vaccinated to enter the state, according to the governor.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige discussed the potential booster update to the state’s Safe Travels program that could come in weeks during a recent livestream interview with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

He pointed to the CDC’s “up to date” vaccine recommendations and said, “We want to see a booster shot for those who are fully vaccinated,” Ige told the outlet.

“We are looking to see what actions are necessary to implement that in Safe Travels,” he said.

Under the state’s Safe Travels guidelines as of Jan. 18, out-of-state travelers going to Hawaii must quarantine for five days “with the possibility of a vaccination exception, or a negative pre-travel test to bypass quarantine.” Additionally, a travel form must be completed as well as a temperature check when arriving at the airport.

Travelers “who are up to date on their vaccination may enter Hawaii without pre-travel testing/quarantine starting the 14th day after the completion of their vaccination,” the guidelines say.

When asked how soon a booster requirement could come, Ige told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, “We know that the community needs time to react to that, so we would have to provide at least two weeks for those who may not be up to date to have the opportunity to go and get vaccinated if they need to.”

Ige added that there would be at least two weeks’ notice for any change that applies to the Hawaiian community.

For a person to be considered “up to date” on their COVID-19 vaccines under the CDC, it depends on whether you’ve been inoculated with Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson’s vaccines.

The CDC recommends getting a booster shot at least five months after being fully vaccinated with Pfizer for those 12 and older. Those 12-17 should only get a Pfizer dose for their booster, while everyone older can choose between Pfizer and Moderna.

If you were vaccinated with Moderna, those 18 and older should get a booster of Pfizer or Moderna at least five months after their second dose, according to the agency.

If you got the J&J shot, the CDC recommends everyone 18 and older getting a Pfizer or Moderna booster “at least 2 months after the first dose.” The agency says you can get a J&J booster “in some situations.”

Hawaii appears to be the only state that is considering implementing a booster shot requirement for travelers.

As of Jan. 17, 75.2% of the state’s population is fully vaccinated and 426,035 third doses have been administered, according to the Hawaii State Department of Health.

“Getting a vaccine and then a booster opens doors to safer travel, gathering with friends, and getting to do the things we loved,” the department wrote Jan. 17 on Twitter.

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