The Safe Access Oahu program increased vaccination rates among private workers

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Government Mandates Increase Vaccination Rates On Oahu, a new report closes.

The University of Hawaii economic research organization says vaccination rates in private companies have increased from 84.4% to 92.4% since August 30, when the city announced the Safe Access Oahu program.

“To put it simply, vaccination mandates have been very effective in increasing vaccinations,” said economist Ruben Juarez, one of the co-authors of the UHERO report.

The report surveyed nearly 2,000 companies – mostly in Oahu.

It found that with the new mandates, 5.9% of private sector workers opted for regular testing, while 1.7% either quit or were made redundant.

However, the study also found that some companies are reporting a decrease in traffic – they may be losing unvaccinated customers.

“Some businesses were affected. They tell us that 35% of the companies had fewer customers, ”said Juarez.

Gary Cordery, director of the anti-mandate group Aloha Freedom Coalition, said he wasn’t surprised that vaccination rates have increased.

“I think the mandates are an extreme transgression by governments – not only of their responsibility, but also of their authority,” he said.

Vaccination advocates point out that the vast majority of the Hawaiian population has shown their support through vaccination.

And the co-author of the UHERO report considers the mandates necessary.

“We’re definitely safer and overall I think it’s a small price to pay,” said Juarez.

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