Starting Monday, people 50 and older will be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine shot on Oahu, state health officials said Thursday.

It’s the latest expansion to eligibility on Oahu, the last island and the most populated in the Aloha State that has yet to open the pool to people 16 years old and older.

Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii counties widened the vaccine eligibility pool to the 16-and-older crowd this Monday. Oahu still plans to follow suit by April 19, a new deadline set by President Biden this week.

Hawaii Health Department Director Libby Char said earlier this week that Hawaii will meet the national goal to open vaccine eligibility to all adults by April 19. Screenshot: Brittany Lyte/Civil Beat

“This is a great opportunity for residents 50 and older on Oahu to register before vaccine eligibility opens to everyone 16 and older on April 19,” said Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Char in a statement. “I encourage everyone who is eligible today to schedule their appointment as soon as possible.”

Char encouraged people to sign up with local pharmacies, whose listings can be found on hawaiicovid19.com and said that seniors who need sign-up or transportation assistance may call Aloha United Way at 2-1-1.

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