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Geana MV, Liu P, Pei J, Anderson S, Ramaswamy M. "A Friendly Conversation." Developing an eHealth Intervention to Increase COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination Literacy Among Women with Criminal and Legal System Involvement. JOURNAL OF HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2024; 29:131-142. [PMID: 38111197 PMCID: PMC10842808 DOI: 10.1080/10810730.2023.2293094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Many women leaving jails are ill-prepared to follow recommended COVID-19 mitigation practices, including testing and vaccination. Low COVID-19-related health literacy, exposure to disinformation, and mistrust in authorities put women at increased risk. Research on this population has shown significant use of mobile devices for communication and web access and public Wi-fi for the internet. Using inductive (formative empirical research with the community) and deductive (theory-based) practices, we designed, developed, and pilot-tested a multimedia, culturally tailored web-based electronic health (eHealth) application to increase COVID-19-specific health literacy and promote testing and vaccination among women with criminal and legal system involvement (CLSI). The intervention included a serialized animated multimedia component and a telenovela-style series, complementing each other and addressing knowledge needs identified in the formative research phase of the project. The eHealth intervention was pilot-tested with 13 CLSI women by using online activity logs and semi-structured telephone interviews. Findings confirmed that eHealth interventions employing multimodal information delivery had increased chances of engaging audiences, especially when developed with input from the target population and are culturally tailored. In addition, using a web-based delivery optimized for mobile made the intervention accessible on various devices and decreased the risk of technical problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mugur V. Geana
- Center for Excellence in Health Communication to Underserved Populations, School of Journalism and Mass Communications, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Pan Liu
- Department of Media, Design, and Communication, Marian University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Jun Pei
- Center for Excellence in Health Communication to Underserved Populations, School of Journalism and Mass Communications, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Sherri Anderson
- Department of Population Health, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Megha Ramaswamy
- Department of Population Health, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
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Moazen B, Ismail N, Agbaria N, Mazzilli S, Petri D, Amaya A, D’Arcy J, Plugge E, Tavoschi L, Stöver H. Vaccination against emerging and reemerging infectious diseases in places of detention: a global multistage scoping review. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1323195. [PMID: 38347924 PMCID: PMC10859397 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1323195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Despite the elevated risks of infection transmission, people in prisons frequently encounter significant barriers in accessing essential healthcare services in many countries. The present scoping review aimed to evaluate the state of availability and model of delivery of vaccination services within correctional facilities across the globe. Methods Following the methodological framework for scoping reviews and adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) extension for scoping reviews criteria, we conducted a systematic search across four peer-reviewed literature databases (Medline via PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Science Direct, and EBSCO), as well as 14 sources of grey literature. Two researchers meticulously examined the identified papers independently to extract pertinent data published between 2012 and 2022. The quality of the selected publications was assessed using established quality assessment tools. Results Of the 11,281 identified papers 52 met the inclusion criteria. With the exception of one, all the included publications presented data from high-income countries, predominantly originating from the United States. Across the world, the most prevalent vaccines available in prison settings were COVID-19 and HBV vaccines, typically distributed in response to health crises such as pandemics, epidemics, and local outbreaks. Vaccine coverage and uptake rates within correctional facilities displayed noteworthy disparities among various countries and regions. Besides, individual and organizational barriers and facilitating factors of vaccination in prison settings emerged and discussed in the text. Discussion The lack of vaccination services combined with low rates of vaccination coverage and uptake among people living and working in correctional facilities represents a cause for concern. Prisons are not isolated from the broader community, therefore, efforts to increase vaccine uptake among people who live and work in prisons will yield broader public health benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babak Moazen
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Health and Social Work, Institute of Addiction Research (ISFF), Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Nasrul Ismail
- School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Nisreen Agbaria
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Health and Social Work, Institute of Addiction Research (ISFF), Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sara Mazzilli
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Davide Petri
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Arianna Amaya
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Emma Plugge
- UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
- Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Lara Tavoschi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Heino Stöver
- Department of Health and Social Work, Institute of Addiction Research (ISFF), Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, Frankfurt, Germany
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Zhao X, Hingle A, Shaw CC, Murphy A, Riddick BR, Davidson Mhonde RR, Taylor BG, Lamuda PA, Pollack HA, Schneider JA, Taxman FS. Endorsement of COVID-19 misinformation among criminal legal involved individuals in the United States: Prevalence and relationship with information sources. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0296752. [PMID: 38181012 PMCID: PMC10769018 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Criminal legal system involvement (CLI) is a critical social determinant of health that lies at the intersection of multiple sources of health disparities. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbates many of these disparities, and specific vulnerabilities faced by the CLI population. This study investigated the prevalence of COVID-19-related misinformation, as well as its relationship with COVID-19 information sources used among Americans experiencing CLI. A nationally representative sample of American adults aged 18+ (N = 1,161), including a subsample of CLI individuals (n = 168), were surveyed in February-March 2021. On a 10-item test, CLI participants endorsed a greater number of misinformation statements (M = 1.88 vs. 1.27) than non-CLI participants, p < .001. CLI participants reported less use of government and scientific sources (p = .017) and less use of personal sources (p = .003) for COVID-19 information than non-CLI participants. Poisson models showed that use of government and scientific sources was negatively associated with misinformation endorsement for non-CLI participants (IRR = .841, p < .001), but not for CLI participants (IRR = .957, p = .619). These findings suggest that building and leveraging trust in important information sources are critical to the containment and mitigation of COVID-19-related misinformation in the CLI population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoquan Zhao
- Department of Communication, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Aayushi Hingle
- Department of ELAP, Linguistics, & Communication Studies, Montgomery College, Takoma Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Cameron C. Shaw
- Schar School of Public Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Amy Murphy
- Schar School of Public Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Breonna R. Riddick
- Department of Communication, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, United States of America
| | | | - Bruce G. Taylor
- NORC at the University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Phoebe A. Lamuda
- NORC at the University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Harold A. Pollack
- Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - John A. Schneider
- Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Faye S. Taxman
- Schar School of Public Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, United States of America
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4
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Vicente-Alcalde N, Sferle SM, Franco-Paredes C, Tuells J. Acceptance of the COVID-19 Vaccine by Prisoners and Staff in Spanish Prisons. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1547. [PMID: 37896950 PMCID: PMC10610590 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11101547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 vaccination of prisoners and prison staff represents a public health intervention to reduce the impact of the pandemic in conglomerate settings. In Spanish prisons, the road map of the Ministry of Health was followed to protect the population at risk. We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination by prisoners and prison staff in a prison in Alicante, Spain. We analyzed data obtained through a standardized, self-administered, and anonymous questionnaire; 1016 prisoners and 288 prison staff responded to the survey. The majority of inmates and staff reported no history of symptomatic COVID-19, 90.15% and 91.66%, respectively. Respondents reported that 88.72% agreed to be vaccinated and 89.64% would recommend the vaccine to others. Approximately 89% believe that the benefit of getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is greater than the risk, and 70.55% reported that vaccination should be mandatory for inmates and staff to participate in some activities. The acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination among prisoners and prison staff is high in a Provincial Prison in Spain. Elevated acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination in prisons is a major factor in public health intervention and vaccine equity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sorina Madalina Sferle
- Instituto Universitario de Matemática Multidisciplinar, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera, s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Carlos Franco-Paredes
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Children’s Hospital of Mexico Federico Gomez, Dr. Márquez 162, Ciudad de Mexico 06720, Mexico;
| | - José Tuells
- Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health and History of Science, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig, 03690 Alicante, Spain;
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5
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Martin P, Martin R, DeBritz AA, Kang AW. COVID-19 vaccination in correctional systems in the United States. J Public Health Policy 2023; 44:477-488. [PMID: 37542149 DOI: 10.1057/s41271-023-00426-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Overcrowding and limited ability to social distance contribute to high rates of COVID-19 outbreaks in correctional facilities. Despite the Centers for Disease Controls' recommendations, incarcerated persons and correctional staff report a high prevalence of vaccine-hesitance. We sought to identify reasons underlying COVID-19 vaccine hesitation and refusal in correctional systems. We used Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) guidelines to design the review. We searched PubMed abstracts and reviewed literature relevant to COVID-19 vaccine uptake and hesitancy in correctional systems of the United States (n = 23). Reasons for vaccine hesitancy among incarcerated people and correctional staff include efficacy, safety concerns, lack of information, and distrust. Findings reveal higher vaccine hesitancy among young and Black residents whereas facilities in close collaborations with state health departments exhibited higher vaccination rates. Correctional facilities must prioritize communication and education to improve the current state of vaccine hesitancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige Martin
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Rosemarie Martin
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Audrey A DeBritz
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Augustine W Kang
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA.
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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Shabir A, Alkubaisi NA, Shafiq A, Salman M, Baraka MA, Mustafa ZU, Khan YH, Malhi TH, Meyer JC, Godman B. COVID-19 Vaccination Status as Well as Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Hesitancy among Prisoners and the Implications. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1081. [PMID: 37376470 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11061081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Prisoners form a population who are highly vulnerable to COVID-19 due to overcrowding, limited movement, and a poor living environment. Consequently, there is a need to ascertain the status of COVID-19 vaccination and factors associated with hesitancy among prisoners. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was undertaken among prisoners at three district jails in Punjab Province, Pakistan. A total of 381 prisoners participated and none of the study participants had received an influenza vaccine this year. In total, 53% received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, with the majority having two doses. The top three reasons of vaccine acceptance were "fear of contracting SARS-CoV-2 infection" (56.9%), "desire to return to a pre-pandemic routine as soon as possible" (56.4%), and "having no doubts on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines" (39.6%). There was no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) in any demographic variables between vaccinated and unvaccinated prisoners except for age, which was strongly association with COVID-19 vaccine uptake (χ2(3) = 76.645, p < 0.001, Cramer's V = 0.457). Among the unvaccinated prisoners (N = 179), only 16 subsequently showed willingness to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The top three reasons for hesitancy were: COVID-19 is not a real problem/disease (60.1%), safety concerns (51.1%), and COVID-19 vaccine is a conspiracy (50.3%). Efforts are needed to address their concerns given this population's risks and high hesitancy rates, especially among younger prisoners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Shabir
- Department of Medicines, Tehsil Headquarter (THQ) Hospital, Dera Ghazi Khan 32200, Pakistan
| | - Noorah A Alkubaisi
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amna Shafiq
- Department of Medicines, Tehsil Headquarter (THQ) Hospital, Dera Ghazi Khan 32200, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Salman
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical and Allied Health Sciences, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Mohamed A Baraka
- Clinical Pharmacy Program, College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, AlAin Campus, Al Ain P.O. Box 64141, United Arab Emirates
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, College of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11651, Egypt
| | - Zia Ul Mustafa
- Discipline of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang 11800, Malaysia
- Department of Pharmacy Services, District Headquarter (DHQ) Hospital, Pakpattan 57400, Pakistan
| | - Yusra Habib Khan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tauqeer Hussain Malhi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia
| | - Johanna C Meyer
- Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Ga-Rankuwa 0208, South Africa
- South African Vaccination and Immunisation Centre, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Ga-Rankuwa 0208, South Africa
| | - Brian Godman
- Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Ga-Rankuwa 0208, South Africa
- Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science (SIPBS), University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
- Centre of Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman P.O. Box 346, United Arab Emirates
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7
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Fukunaga R, Kaplan ZE, Rodriguez T, Hagan L, Aarvig K, Dusseau C, Crockett M, Long M. Attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination among incarcerated persons in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, June-July 2021. Vaccine 2023:S0264-410X(23)00512-1. [PMID: 37164822 PMCID: PMC10151452 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.04.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To understand the attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination and trusted sources of vaccination-related information among persons incarcerated in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. METHODS From June-July 2021, persons incarcerated across 122 facilities operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons were invited to participate in a survey asking their reasons for receiving or declining COVID-19 vaccination and the information sources they relied upon to make these decisions. Descriptive analyses were conducted. RESULTS A total of 130,789 incarcerated persons with known vaccination status were invited to participate in the survey. At the time of survey, 78,496 (62%) were fully vaccinated; 3,128 (3%) were partially vaccinated and scheduled to complete their second dose, and 44,394 (35%) had declined either a first or second dose. 7,474 (9.5%) of the fully vaccinated group and 2,302 (4.4%) of the group declining either a first or second dose chose to participate in the survey; an overall survey return rate of 7.6% (n = 9,905). Among vaccinated respondents, the most common reason given for accepting vaccination was to protect their health (n = 5,689; 76.1%). Individuals who declined vaccination cited concerns about vaccine side effects (n = 1,304; 56.6%), mistrust of the vaccine (n = 1,256; 54.6%), and vaccine safety concerns (n = 1,252; 54.4%). Among those who declined, 21.2% (n = 489) reported that they would choose to be vaccinated if the vaccine was offered again. Those who declined also reported that additional information from outside organizations (n = 1128; 49.0%), receiving information regarding vaccine safety (n = 841; 36.5%), and/or speaking with a trusted medical advisor (n = 565; 24.5%) may influence their decision to be vaccinated in the future. CONCLUSION As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, it is important to increase vaccine confidence in prisons, jails, and detention facilities to reduce transmission and severe health outcomes. These survey findings can inform the design of potential interventions to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake in these settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rena Fukunaga
- COVID-19 Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, United States.
| | - Zoe E Kaplan
- COVID-19 Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, United States
| | - Tami Rodriguez
- Federal Bureau of Prisons, Health Services Division, 320 First Street NW, Washington, DC 20534, United States; Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service, 1101 Wootton Pkwy, Plaza level, Rockville, MD 20852, United States
| | - Liesl Hagan
- COVID-19 Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, United States
| | - Kathleen Aarvig
- COVID-19 Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, United States
| | - Charles Dusseau
- Federal Bureau of Prisons, Health Services Division, 320 First Street NW, Washington, DC 20534, United States; Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service, 1101 Wootton Pkwy, Plaza level, Rockville, MD 20852, United States
| | - Michael Crockett
- Federal Bureau of Prisons, Health Services Division, 320 First Street NW, Washington, DC 20534, United States; Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service, 1101 Wootton Pkwy, Plaza level, Rockville, MD 20852, United States
| | - Michael Long
- Federal Bureau of Prisons, Health Services Division, 320 First Street NW, Washington, DC 20534, United States; Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service, 1101 Wootton Pkwy, Plaza level, Rockville, MD 20852, United States
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Taylor BG, Mumford EA, Kaplan AM, Liu W. Concerns about COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among Law Enforcement Officers: Prevalence and Risk Factor Data from a Nationally Representative Sample in the United States. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11040783. [PMID: 37112695 PMCID: PMC10144532 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11040783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Scant research exists on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among law enforcement officers, hindering health messaging development for officers and, by extension, the communities they serve. This paper’s goal was to address this gap by providing the necessary data to better under hesitancy to guide training and policy interventions for officers. The objective was to conduct the first nationally representative survey of officers on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and its correlates. We collected data from February 2021 to March 2022 on officer COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and examined their responses in terms of sociodemographic factors, health status, and job characteristics. We found that 40% of officers were COVID-19 vaccine hesitant. We found that officers with higher education, older officers, officers with more law enforcement experience, officers who received recent health checkups, and commanders (compared to line officers) were less likely to be COVID-19 vaccine hesitant. Critically, officers working in law enforcement agencies that provided masks for COVID-19 protection were less likely to be COVID-19 vaccine hesitant (compared to agencies not providing masks). Ongoing research is needed to understand how evolving attitudes and barriers toward vaccination change over time for officers and to test messaging to better align officers with health guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Weiwei Liu
- NORC at the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60603, USA
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9
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Lind ML, Kennedy BS, Nieto MD, Houde AJ, Sosensky P, Borg R, Cummings DAT, Ko AI, Richeson RP. Covid-19 vaccine acceptance among individuals incarcerated in Connecticut state jails. HEALTH & JUSTICE 2023; 11:16. [PMID: 36913159 PMCID: PMC10009345 DOI: 10.1186/s40352-023-00216-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vaccine hesitancy is common among incarcerated populations and, despite vaccination programs, vaccine acceptance within residents remains low, especially within jails. With the goal of assessing the Connecticut DOC's COVID-19 vaccine program within jails we examined if residents of DOC operated jails were more likely to become vaccinated following incarceration than in the community. Specifically, we conducted a retrospective cohort analysis among people who spent at least one night in a DOC-operated jail between February 2 and November 8, 2021, and were eligible for vaccination at the time of incarceration (intake). We compared the vaccination rates before and after incarceration using an age-adjusted survival analysis with a time-varying exposure of incarceration and an outcome of vaccination. RESULTS During the study period, 3,716 people spent at least one night in jail and were eligible for vaccination at intake. Of these residents, 136 were vaccinated prior to incarceration, 2,265 had a recorded vaccine offer, and 479 were vaccinated while incarcerated. The age-adjusted hazard of vaccination following incarceration was significantly higher than prior to incarceration (12.5; 95% Confidence Intervals: 10.2-15.3). CONCLUSIONS We found that residents were more likely to become vaccinated in jail than in the community. Though these findings highlight the utility of vaccination programs within jails, the low level of vaccination in this population speaks to the need for additional program development within jails and the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret L. Lind
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, New Haven, CT 06510 USA
| | - Byron S. Kennedy
- Connecticut Department of Correction, 24 Wolcott Hill Rd, Wethersfield, CT 06109 USA
| | - Murilo Dorion Nieto
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, New Haven, CT 06510 USA
| | - Amy J. Houde
- Connecticut Department of Correction, 24 Wolcott Hill Rd, Wethersfield, CT 06109 USA
| | - Peri Sosensky
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, New Haven, CT 06510 USA
| | - Ryan Borg
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, New Haven, CT 06510 USA
| | - Derek A. T. Cummings
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, 214 Bartram Hall, Gainesville, FL 32611 USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, 2055 Mowry Rd, Gainesville, FL 32610 USA
| | - Albert I. Ko
- Connecticut Department of Correction, 24 Wolcott Hill Rd, Wethersfield, CT 06109 USA
- Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Salvador, BA Brazil
| | - Robert P. Richeson
- Connecticut Department of Correction, 24 Wolcott Hill Rd, Wethersfield, CT 06109 USA
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10
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Kramer C, Song M, Sufrin CB, Eber GB, Rubenstein LS, Saloner B. COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy and uptake: Perspectives from people released from the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Vaccine 2023; 41:1408-1417. [PMID: 36690558 PMCID: PMC9866228 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.01.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
People in United States (US) prisons and jails have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is due to challenges containing outbreaks in facilities and the high rates of health conditions that increase the risk of adverse outcomes. Vaccination is one strategy to disrupt COVID-19 transmission, but there are many factors impeding vaccination while in custody. We aimed to examine the perspectives of former residents in the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) regarding COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and acceptance. Between September-October 2021, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 recently released individuals who were incarcerated before and during COVID-19 and coded transcripts thematically. We assessed perceptions of the vaccine rollout and factors shaping vaccination uptake in custody and after release. The vaccine was available to seven participants in custody, of whom three were vaccinated. Interviewees had mixed attitudes about how vaccines were distributed, particularly with priority given to staff. Most were reluctant to get vaccinated in custody for varying reasons including observing staff declining to be vaccinated, lack of counseling to address specific questions about safety, and general lack of trust in the carceral system. By contrast, twelve got vaccinated post-release because of greater trust in community health care and stated they would not have done so while incarcerated. For residents in the BOP, COVID-19 vaccination was not simply a binary decision, instead they weighed the costs and benefits with most deciding against getting vaccinated. Institutions of incarceration must address these concerns to increase vaccine uptake as the pandemic continues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Kramer
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 4940 Eastern Ave., A101 Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
| | - Minna Song
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Carolyn B Sufrin
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 4940 Eastern Ave., A101 Baltimore, MD 21224, USA; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health, Behavior and Society, 624 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Gabriel B Eber
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, 624 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Leonard S Rubenstein
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, 624 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Wurcel AG, Kraus C, Johnson O, Zaller ND, Ray B, Spaulding AC, Flynn T, Quinn C, Day R, Akiyama MJ, Del Pozo B, Meyer F, Glenn JE. Stakeholder-engaged research is necessary across the criminal-legal spectrum. J Clin Transl Sci 2022; 7:e5. [PMID: 36755540 PMCID: PMC9879908 DOI: 10.1017/cts.2022.501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
People with lived experience of incarceration have higher rates of morbidity and mortality compared to people without history of incarceration. Research conducted unethically in prisons and jails led to increased scrutiny of research to ensure the needs of those studied are protected. One consequence of increased restrictions on research with criminal-legal involved populations is reluctance to engage in research evaluations of healthcare for people who are incarcerated and people who have lived experience of incarceration. Ethical research can be done in partnership with people with lived experience of incarceration and other key stakeholders and should be encouraged. In this article, we describe how stakeholder engagement can be accomplished in this setting, and further, how such engagement leads to impactful research that can be disseminated and implemented across disciplines and communities. The goal is to build trust across the spectrum of people who work, live in, or are impacted by the criminal-legal system, with the purpose of moving toward health equity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alysse G. Wurcel
- Department of Medicine, Division of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christina Kraus
- Tufts University Medical Student, JCOIN LEAP Scholar, Boston, MA, USA
| | - O’Dell Johnson
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | | | - Bradley Ray
- RTI International, Division for Applied Justice Research, 3040 Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC27709, USA
| | - Anne C. Spaulding
- Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Tara Flynn
- Assistant Deputy Superintendent Health Services, Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office, Dedham, MA, USA
| | | | - Ronald Day
- The Fortune Society, Vice President of Programs and Research, Long Island City, New York, USA
| | - Matthew J. Akiyama
- Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | | | - Fred Meyer
- Deputy Chief (Retired), Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Jason E. Glenn
- Department of History and Philosophy of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas, USA
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12
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Kronfli N, Dussault C, Maheu-Giroux M, Halavrezos A, Chalifoux S, Park H, Balso LD, Cheng MP, Cox J. Importance of occupation for SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and COVID-19 vaccination among correctional workers in Quebec, Canada: A cross-sectional study. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1021871. [PMID: 36438247 PMCID: PMC9683106 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1021871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Correctional workers are at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We examined the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2, determined the effects of carceral and occupational exposures on seropositivity, and explored predictors of COVID-19 vaccine uptake among correctional workers in Quebec, Canada. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional seroprevalence study in three provincial prisons. The primary and secondary outcomes were SARS-CoV-2 antibody seropositivity (Roche Elecsys® serology test) and self-reported COVID-19 vaccination status ("fully vaccinated" defined as two doses or prior infection plus one dose), respectively. Poisson regression models with robust standard error were used to examine the effect of occupational variables with SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity and predictors of COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Estimates are presented as crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results From 14 July to 15 November 2021, 105/600 (18%) correctional workers tested positive across three prisons (range 11-21%); 76% were fully vaccinated. Seropositivity was affected by prison occupation (aPR 1.59, 95% CI 1.11-2.27 for correctional officers vs. all other occupations) and low perceived concern of SARS-CoV-2 acquisition (aPR 1.62, 95% CI 1.11-2.38 for not/hardly worried vs. somewhat/extremely worried). Predictors of being fully vaccinated included race/ethnicity (aPR 0.86, 95% CI 0.76-0.99 for visible minority vs. White), presence of comorbidities (aPR 1.14, 95% CI 1.02-1.28 for > 2 vs. none), and prison occupation (aPR 0.82, 95% CI 0.73-0.92 for correctional officers vs. all other occupations). Conclusions Correctional officers were most likely to have acquired SARS-CoV-2, but least likely to be vaccinated, underscoring the importance of addressing both occupational risks and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy to mitigate future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Kronfli
- Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada,Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Chronic Viral Illness Service, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada,*Correspondence: Nadine Kronfli
| | - Camille Dussault
- Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Mathieu Maheu-Giroux
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population and Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Alexandros Halavrezos
- Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sylvie Chalifoux
- Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Hyejin Park
- Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Lina Del Balso
- Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Matthew P. Cheng
- Department of Medicine, Divisions of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Joseph Cox
- Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada,Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Chronic Viral Illness Service, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population and Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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13
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Levintow SN, DiRosa E, Carda-Auten J, Brown ME, Bradley-Bull S, Blue C, Powers KA, Rosen DL. SARS-CoV-2 Mitigation Strategies, Testing, and Cases at 254 Jails in the US Southeast, October 2020 to May 2021. Am J Public Health 2022; 112:1589-1598. [PMID: 36223569 PMCID: PMC9558185 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2022.307012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
Objectives. To characterize severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mitigation strategies, testing, and cases across county jails in the Southeastern United States, examining variability by jail characteristics. Methods. We administered a 1-time telephone survey to personnel of 254 jails in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina between October 2020 and May 2021. Results. Some SARS-CoV-2 mitigation strategies (e.g., screening at intake, isolation and masking for symptomatic persons) were commonly reported (≥ 75% of jails). Other measures, such as masking regardless of symptoms (52%) and screening at release (26%), were less common and varied by jail state or population size. Overall, 41% of jails reported no SARS-CoV-2 testing in the past 30 days. Jails with testing (59%) tested a median of 6 per 100 incarcerated persons; of those jails, one third reported 1 or more cases of positive tests. Although most jails detected no cases, in the 20% of all jails with 1 or more case in the past 30 days, 1 in 5 tests was positive. Conclusions. There was low testing coverage and variable implementation of SARS-CoV-2 mitigation strategies in Southeastern US jails during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Am J Public Health. 2022;112(11):1589-1598. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.307012).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara N Levintow
- Sara N. Levintow and Kimberly A. Powers are with the Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Elena DiRosa, Jessica Carda-Auten, Mersedes E. Brown, Steve Bradley-Bull, and Colleen Blue are with the Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. David L. Rosen is with the Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Elena DiRosa
- Sara N. Levintow and Kimberly A. Powers are with the Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Elena DiRosa, Jessica Carda-Auten, Mersedes E. Brown, Steve Bradley-Bull, and Colleen Blue are with the Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. David L. Rosen is with the Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Jessica Carda-Auten
- Sara N. Levintow and Kimberly A. Powers are with the Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Elena DiRosa, Jessica Carda-Auten, Mersedes E. Brown, Steve Bradley-Bull, and Colleen Blue are with the Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. David L. Rosen is with the Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Mersedes E Brown
- Sara N. Levintow and Kimberly A. Powers are with the Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Elena DiRosa, Jessica Carda-Auten, Mersedes E. Brown, Steve Bradley-Bull, and Colleen Blue are with the Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. David L. Rosen is with the Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Steve Bradley-Bull
- Sara N. Levintow and Kimberly A. Powers are with the Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Elena DiRosa, Jessica Carda-Auten, Mersedes E. Brown, Steve Bradley-Bull, and Colleen Blue are with the Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. David L. Rosen is with the Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Colleen Blue
- Sara N. Levintow and Kimberly A. Powers are with the Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Elena DiRosa, Jessica Carda-Auten, Mersedes E. Brown, Steve Bradley-Bull, and Colleen Blue are with the Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. David L. Rosen is with the Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Kimberly A Powers
- Sara N. Levintow and Kimberly A. Powers are with the Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Elena DiRosa, Jessica Carda-Auten, Mersedes E. Brown, Steve Bradley-Bull, and Colleen Blue are with the Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. David L. Rosen is with the Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - David L Rosen
- Sara N. Levintow and Kimberly A. Powers are with the Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Elena DiRosa, Jessica Carda-Auten, Mersedes E. Brown, Steve Bradley-Bull, and Colleen Blue are with the Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. David L. Rosen is with the Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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14
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Ismail N, Tavoschi L, Moazen B, Roselló A, Plugge E. COVID-19 vaccine for people who live and work in prisons worldwide: A scoping review. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267070. [PMID: 36084037 PMCID: PMC9462803 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Overcrowding, poor conditions, and high population turnover make prisons highly susceptible to COVID-19. Vaccination is key to controlling COVID-19, yet there is disagreement regarding whether people who live and work in prisons should be prioritised in national vaccination programmes. To help resolve this, we critically examine the extent, nature, and quality of extant literature regarding prioritisation of COVID-19 vaccinations for people who live and work in prisons. Using a scoping review as our methodological framework, we conducted a systematic literature search of 17 databases. From 2,307 potentially eligible articles, we removed duplicates and screened titles and abstracts to retain 45 articles for review and quality appraisal. Findings indicated that while most countries recognise that prisons are at risk of high levels of COVID-19 transmission, only a minority have explicitly prioritised people who live and work in prisons for COVID-19 vaccination. Even among those that have, prioritisation criteria vary considerably. This is set against a backdrop of political barriers, such as politicians questioning the moral deservingness of people in prison; policy barriers, such as the absence of a unified international framework of how vaccine prioritisation should proceed in prisons; logistical barriers regarding vaccine administration in prisons; and behavioural barriers including vaccine hesitancy. We outline five strategies to prioritise people who live and work in prisons in COVID-19 vaccination plans: (1) improving data collection on COVID-19 vaccination, (2) reducing the number of people imprisoned, (3) tackling vaccine populism through advocacy, (4) challenging arbitrary prioritisation processes via legal processes, and (5) conducting more empirical research on COVID-19 vaccination planning, delivery, and acceptability. Implementing these strategies would help to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on the prison population, prevent community transmission, improve vaccine uptake in prisons beyond the current pandemic, foster political accountability, and inform future decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasrul Ismail
- School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Lara Tavoschi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Babak Moazen
- Department of Health and Social Work, Institute of Addiction Research (ISFF), Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health (HIGH), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Emma Plugge
- UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
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15
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COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake and Related Determinants in Detained Subjects in Italy. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10050673. [PMID: 35632429 PMCID: PMC9146091 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10050673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: This study explored the extent of COVID-19 vaccination coverage and investigated drivers and barriers to COVID-19 vaccine uptake among people in prison. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from July to October 2021 among 517 detained people in the Campania region of South Italy. Results: In total, 47.1% of participants expressed a high concern about contracting COVID-19 after vaccination, whereas 60.6% and 53.8% of respondents reported a positive attitude towards usefulness and safety of COVID-19 vaccines, respectively. Adherence to the active offer of COVID-19 vaccination involved 89.7% of detained subjects. COVID-19 vaccination uptake was significantly higher in females, and in those who reported influenza vaccination uptake, had received information about COVID-19 vaccination from media and newspapers, did not express need of additional information about COVID-19 vaccine, believed that COVID-19 vaccine is safe, were involved in working activities in the prison, and had a high school or university degree. Conclusions: These findings showed a high self-reported COVID-19 vaccination coverage in detained subjects, supporting the effectiveness of the strategy aimed at giving priority to COVID-19 vaccinations in prisons. Further efforts are needed to contrast the hesitancy of those who refused vaccination to increase their confidence about usefulness and safety of COVID-19 vaccines.
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16
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Liu YE, Oto J, Will J, LeBoa C, Doyle A, Rens N, Aggarwal S, Kalish I, Rodriguez M, Sherif B, Trinidad C, Del Rosario M, Allen S, Spencer R, Morales C, Chyorny A, Andrews JR. Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among residents of Northern California jails. Prev Med Rep 2022; 27:101771. [PMID: 35309721 PMCID: PMC8920969 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2022.101771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Carceral facilities are high-risk settings for COVID-19 transmission. Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among incarcerated individuals are poorly understood, especially among jail residents. Here, we conducted a retrospective review of electronic health record (EHR) data on COVID-19 vaccine uptake in custody and additionally administered a survey to assess reasons for vaccine hesitancy, sources of COVID-19 information, and medical mistrust among residents of four Northern California jails. We performed multivariate logistic regression to determine associations with vaccine acceptance. Of 2,564 jail residents offered a COVID-19 vaccine between March 19, 2021 and June 30, 2021, 1,441 (56.2%) accepted at least one dose. Among vaccinated residents, 497 (34.5%) had initially refused. Vaccine uptake was higher among older individuals, women, those with recent flu vaccination, and those living in shared housing. Among 509 survey respondents, leading reasons for vaccine hesitancy were concerns around side effects and suboptimal efficacy, with cost and the need for an annual booster being other hypothetical deterrents to vaccination. Vaccine hesitancy was also associated with mistrust of medical personnel in and out of jail, although this association varied by race/ethnicity. Television and friends/family were the most common and most trusted sources of COVID-19 information, respectively. Overall, vaccine acceptance was much lower among jail residents than the local and national general population. Interventions to increase vaccination rates in this setting should utilize accessible and trusted sources of information to address concerns about side effects and efficacy, while working to mitigate medical and institutional mistrust among residents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiran E. Liu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Corresponding author at: 240 Pasteur Dr, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA.
| | - Jillian Oto
- Custody Health Services, Santa Clara Valley Health and Hospital System, San Jose, CA, USA
| | - John Will
- Custody Health Services, Santa Clara Valley Health and Hospital System, San Jose, CA, USA
| | - Christopher LeBoa
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Alexis Doyle
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Neil Rens
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Shelley Aggarwal
- Department of Pediatrics, Santa Clara Valley Health and Hospital System, San Jose, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Custody Health, Santa Clara Valley Health and Hospital System, San Jose, CA, USA
| | - Iryna Kalish
- Custody Health Services, Santa Clara Valley Health and Hospital System, San Jose, CA, USA
| | - Marcela Rodriguez
- Stanford Center for Clinical Research, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Beruk Sherif
- Stanford Center for Clinical Research, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Chrisele Trinidad
- Stanford Center for Clinical Research, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Michael Del Rosario
- Division of Correctional Health Services, San Mateo County Health, Redwood City, CA, USA
| | - Sophie Allen
- Stanford Law School, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Sociology, Stanford School of Humanities and Sciences, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Robert Spencer
- Division of Correctional Health Services, San Mateo County Health, Redwood City, CA, USA
| | - Carlos Morales
- Division of Correctional Health Services, San Mateo County Health, Redwood City, CA, USA
| | - Alexander Chyorny
- Department of Medicine, Division of Custody Health, Santa Clara Valley Health and Hospital System, San Jose, CA, USA
| | - Jason R Andrews
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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