With Kauaʻi cases of chickenpox climbing, state health officials providing free vaccinations

The Hawai’i State Department of Health is offering a free chickenpox vaccination clinic on the North Shore as cases linked to a community outbreak have doubled in recent days.

The Kauaʻi District Health Office announced it will provide no-cost varicella vaccinations for adults and keiki ages 12 months and older at the Pavilion entrance hale at Anaina Hou Community Park in Kīlauea.

The clinic is scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 12, and 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 14.

The announcement follows an update from the department confirming that reported chickenpox cases on the Garden Island have increased from five to 10 since Jan. 31. The cases span four schools and involve children younger than 18.

The outbreak initially involved five cases connected to Kīlauea Elementary School. As of Feb. 6, five additional cases were reported at Hanalei Elementary School, Kaua’i Christian Academy, and Island School.

Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Symptoms typically include an itchy, blister-like rash, fever and fatigue. The infection spreads via air (coughing/sneezing) or direct contact with fluid from blisters. A person is contagious from 1 to 2 days before the onset of a rash and until all blisters are crusted over, which is usually 5 to 7 days.

Health officials reported that nine of the 10 children were unvaccinated and noted that several Kauaʻi schools have low vaccination rates, thereby increasing the risk of transmission.

The department is urging residents who have not had chickenpox or are fully vaccinated to receive two doses of the varicella vaccine, which health officials have said provides near-complete immunity or significantly reduces the severity of illness.

Infants younger than one are not eligible for vaccination. Health officials recommend that household members of infants check their immunity status and get vaccinated if needed.

Someone infected with chickenpox can spread the disease from 1 to 2 days before the rash appears until all their rash blisters have formed scabs.

For more information, visit the Hawai‘i Department of Health chickenpox information web page or call the Kaua’i District Health office at 808-241-3555 or scan the QR code in the flyer above.