Fewer than half of inmates in jails and prisons surveyed in a study by the CDC and 91爆料 said they would accept a COVID-19 vaccine, while the majority either said they wanted to wait before getting the vaccine or would refuse one.
鈥淭his is a population already at risk for COVID-19, and outbreaks among incarcerated people can worsen inequities in COVID-19 outcomes as well as contribute to spread in the surrounding community,鈥� said lead author , affiliate assistant professor of health services in the 91爆料 School of Public Health. 鈥淪o culturally and health-literacy informed interventions are needed to help them feel more confident about getting vaccinated.鈥�
The study conducted by CDC researchers and led by Stern was published Wednesday on the CDC鈥檚 . The researchers surveyed more than 5,000 inmates, men and women, in late 2020 from three prisons and 13 jails in Washington, California, Florida and Texas.
Links to the CDC鈥檚 guidance to support the management of COVID-19 in correctional and detention facilities:
Among those asked about their willingness to receive a vaccine, only 45% said they were willing. More than 45% said they would refuse, and nearly 10% said they might or weren鈥檛 sure they would receive it.
The most common reasons the participants gave for vaccine hesitancy fell into the response categories of waiting for more information or to see others take it first, and efficacy or safety concerns. The most common reason for given for refusal was distrust of the health care system, correctional or government personnel and institutions.
The survey was conducted before vaccines were available, but at the time Black and younger respondents were the least willing to get the vaccine. The researchers added that a lower willingness to receive a vaccine among Black participants was 鈥渘ot unexpected given historical mistreatment and higher rates of distrust鈥� of these institutions.
鈥淧eople of color are subject to a 鈥榙ouble whammy鈥� 鈥� they are at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19 and they are disproportionately incarcerated, living in facilities where they are more likely to become infected,鈥� Stern said.
鈥淚 hope this study sheds light on the need to find ways of assuring high levels of vaccination of incarcerated individuals,鈥� Stern added, 鈥渘ot just for their own health, but for the health of the community. Vaccinating incarcerated individuals not only decreases the risk that officers and other staff will bring COVID-19 home to their family, friends and community, it is also an efficient way to vaccinate a large number of people who are otherwise hard for public health providers to reach once they return to their communities.鈥�
Co-authors include Alexandra Piasecki, Priti Patel, Rena Fukunaga and Nathan Furukawa from the CDC COVID-19 Response Team; Poornima Rajeshwar, Erika Tyagi and Sharon Dolovich from University of California, Los Angeles; and k, at the 91爆料 and the Washington State Department of Corrections.
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For more information, contact Stern at mfstern@uw.edu.