Kamaile Academy COVID-19 Testing

Over the last three months, the NIH RADx-UP-funded Pacific Alliance Against COVID-19 (PAAC) research team has partnered with the Hawaii Department of Health, the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center and Kamaile Academy, a large charter school on Oahu serving a Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) enriched community, to pilot a weekly SARS-CoV-2 antigen testing program for teachers and school staff. The Pilot Program has been well accepted and sustainable, with over 80% of the approximately 120 school staff/teachers have participated. To date, the majority of the teachers and staff have volunteered to be tested more than once and 100% have expressed their satisfaction. 87% of participants report that the Program has promoted testing uptake, 52% of participants report being more likely to be vaccinated as a result of the pilot testing and education program. This is important given the disproportionate adverse impacts of COVID-19 on NHPI communities coupled with pervasive vaccine hesitancy. We invite you to watch the video describing the experience of participants in this effort. 

 

School administrators interested in learning more can contact paac@hawaii.edu for more information.

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