MAUI — Maui County has released new rules that say a booster is required to be considered “fully vaccinated.” 

Maui released new emergency rules Wednesday that say people are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 when more than two weeks have passed since receiving the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccinations — or two weeks have passed since receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. They must also have received a booster vaccination if eligible. 

Those eligible for vaccination boosters are people who have received their first two-dose series six months ago or more. The requirement does not apply to those under 16 years of age for Pfizer and under 18 years of age for Moderna. 

Although children under the age of 16 are not currently eligible for the booster, the Food and Drug Administration is expected to authorize booster doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for kids 12-15. 

On Maui, as part of the “Safer Outside” program, vaccine cards must be shown as proof of vaccination to enter indoor restaurants, bars and gyms. A negative COVID-19 test or proof of a positive test from less than 90 days and more than 11 days is also acceptable. 

Maui is the first county in Hawaii to require boosters to qualify as fully vaccinated.  

The move comes as COVID-19 numbers continue to soar across the state, with 3,484 new cases reported on Thursday. While 73.9% of people in the state have received the first series of COVID-19 series, 23.9% of residents have not yet received the booster.  

As of Dec. 27, only 66% of residents on Maui have received the initial series of vaccinations, which is 110,345 people out of a population of 166,043. Of that amount, 32,758 residents have received the booster.