Covid-19 vaccine acceptance among individuals incarcerated in Connecticut state jails

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.

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on people experiencing incarceration: a systematic review

“…A large US study of 126 413 PEI reported a slightly higher rate of full vaccination (33.4%) compared with the general population (29.5%) 65. Incarcerated residents also had more time eligible for vaccination in the community (79 days, IQR: 41–183) than in jail (14 days IQR: 3–31) and were 12.5 times (95% CI 10.2 to 15.3) more likely to consent to and receive vaccination while incarcerated than before incarceration 66. Conversely, a Public Health Scotland report found that uptake of a full course of COVID-19 vaccine in PEI was lower than in the public 67.…”

“…65 Incarcerated residents also had more time eligible for vaccination in the community (79 days, IQR: 41-183) than in jail (14 days IQR: 3-31) and were 12.5 times (95% CI 10.2 to 15.3) more likely to consent to and receive vaccination while incarcerated than before incarceration. 66 Conversely, a Public Health Scotland report found that uptake of a full course of COVID-19 vaccine in PEI was lower than in the public. 67 This finding was Open access echoed by a Danish whole population study demonstrating that PEI during 2020 in Denmark were half as likely to complete a full course of COVID-19 vaccination as the general population (aIRR 0.5 95% CI 0.5 to 0.5).…”