{"id":134273,"date":"2021-01-22T13:46:24","date_gmt":"2021-01-22T23:46:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=134273"},"modified":"2021-01-25T10:19:51","modified_gmt":"2021-01-25T20:19:51","slug":"vax-facts-forum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2021\/01\/22\/vax-facts-forum\/","title":{"rendered":"UH<\/abbr> experts address faculty, staff questions on COVID-19 vaccine efforts"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 3<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

\"Jax<\/p>\n

More than a thousand University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> faculty and staff attended an online forum titled, “Vax Facts UH<\/abbr>: Science, Safety & Society<\/a>,” held on January 20. The forum provided an update on Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>\u2019s COVID-19<\/abbr> vaccine efforts and what it means for the UH<\/abbr> community. <\/p>\n

The event featured various experts from UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa and Lt. Gov. Josh Green. They answered more than 100 questions on topics that included UH<\/abbr>\u2019s vaccine prioritization status; vaccine development, efficacy and safety; and ethics and social issues surrounding the distribution. Panelists also discussed how best to provide accurate information to students and employees. <\/p>\n

\"Get<\/p>\n

Lee Buenconsejo-Lum<\/strong>, John A. Burns School of Medicine<\/a> (JABSOM<\/abbr>) Associate Dean, and liaison to the Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Emergency Management Agency\u2019s COVID-19<\/abbr> pandemic response, was one of the panelists. As one of the UH<\/abbr> leads working with the Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Department of Health (DOH<\/abbr>) on vaccination plans, she addressed questions related to vaccine availability to the UH<\/abbr> community. She emphasized two factors: How many vaccine doses the state receives every week and the complex logistics of getting shots into arms safely.<\/p>\n

“We are working with the DOH<\/abbr> to determine what opportunities make the most sense to deliver vaccines to the UH<\/abbr> population. Vaccination options will also likely vary by county,” she said. “We are moving forward together, as a state, and as the university and others really work hard to address this pandemic.” <\/p>\n

Buenconsejo-Lum said about 7,000 members of the UH<\/abbr> community who wished to be vaccinated have already completed the online COVID-19<\/abbr> vaccine interest and prioritization questionnaire<\/a> so far.<\/p>\n

\"uh<\/p>\n

She added, “We all have common goals and purposes to distribute the vaccine equitably and as quickly as possible, but must keep in mind that there is not enough vaccine to distribute to the entire population at this time. The vaccine supply will be getting better, but we just need to keep that in mind for now.”<\/p>\n

Following CDC<\/abbr> guidance and State DOH<\/abbr> planning efforts, post-secondary education is recognized as part of Phase 1B. However, 1B is estimated to include approximately 230,000 Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> residents so UH<\/abbr> is working to establish priorities based on current job duties, emphasizing those who must work on campus in person, with frequent and close contact with others, and who may have a higher risk of exposure. <\/p>\n

“The voluntary survey will also be used to identify others who may have additional risk factors that we cannot easily determine through job duties or university records,” she said. She thanked everyone for their patience as the state continues to refine processes to offer the COVID-19<\/abbr> vaccine to those in the higher priority groups.<\/p>\n

The other panelists were:<\/p>\n

Sandra Chang<\/strong>, JABSOM<\/abbr> professor, a specialist in immunology, microbiology and vaccine development, who serves as co-chair of the Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> DOH<\/abbr> Vaccine Medical Advisory Working Group.<\/p>\n

Neal Palafox<\/strong>, JABSOM<\/abbr> professor, who serves on four Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> COVID-19<\/abbr> response teams. He is a specialist in health policy and reducing health disparities, with a focus on Pacific Islanders.<\/p>\n

Soo Yun Shin<\/strong>, communicology professor, a specialist in communication technologies and strategies for correcting misinformation.<\/p>\n

Josh Green<\/strong>, Lt. Governor and emergency room physician <\/p>\n

Hear more from the panelists on the following topics:<\/p>\n