Report Publish Date: April 12, 2022
This journal article describes a study that looked at whether states that prioritized vaccinating incarcerated people against COVID-19 had higher rates of vaccination among that group compared to states that did not prioritize prison populations.
The researchers found an association between states prioritizing the vaccination of prisoners and higher vaccination rates among prisoners. Ten states (seven of which prioritized prisoner vaccination) of the 36 studied vaccinated more than 10% of incarcerated people. Overall, 42% of incarcerated people had not been vaccinated by June 2021.
When the rollout of COVID vaccines began in December 2020, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and many states did not prioritize immunization of prison populations. In the second phase of vaccine rollout, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommended vaccinating incarcerated people. Some states prioritized immunizing prisoners, starting in different months, and others did not. The authors of this study wanted to know whether states that prioritized prison populations succeeded at vaccinating a higher share of incarcerated people than states that did not.
The authors used weekly state data on vaccination of incarcerated people and Marshall Project and Associated Press monthly prison counts. They used the COVID-19 U.S. State Policy database, or CUSP, to determine when incarcerated people became eligible for vaccination. They analyzed data from 36 states with complete vaccination data on prisoners, covering October 20, 2020, to June 20, 2021.
“Better data transparency, including full COVID-19 vaccinations and vaccinations by race and ethnicity, is needed to evaluate vaccinations in prisons.”
— Breanne E. Biondi, Alexandra Skinner, and Julia Raifman, Boston University; Kathryn M. Leifheit, University of California, Los Angeles; Carmen R. Mitchell, University of Louisville; and Lauren Brinkley-Rubinstein, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Because of disparities in incarceration and chronic illness, vaccinating prisoners is a matter of equity. The authors’ findings suggest that when states prioritized the vaccination of prison populations, more prisoners got vaccinated. The researchers say more research is needed on how to encourage vaccination among prisoners, who may not trust prison and medical staff. The authors also say states should provide full vaccinations and report prisoner demographics.
Risk of COVID-19 transmission is increased in prisons and surrounding communities. COVID-19 can spread rapidly in these facilities owing to crowding, inability to socially distance, poor ventilation, continuous admissions and releases, and daily work staff. High rates of chronic and immunocompromising conditions such as HIV among incarcerated persons are associated with greater risk of COVID-19.
Owing to limited vaccine supply in December 2020 and early 2021, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended that states allocate COVID-19 vaccines in phases and did not prioritize incarcerated persons for vaccination, nor did many states. In contrast, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommended that incarcerated persons be vaccinated in the second phase. This study assessed COVID-19 vaccine rollout in state prison systems and the association between vaccination prioritization policies and the percentage of incarcerated persons vaccinated for COVID-19.
JAMA Netw Open, April 12, 2022, doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.6960
Figure 1. Associations Between State COVID-19 Vaccination Prioritization and Cumulative Vaccination Rate Among Incarcerated Persons in 36 States
This study and report was conducted and created by the following people.
