Trends in COVID-19 and influenza vaccine ordering and distribution in Massachusetts jails.

ABSTRACT: Incarcerated populations are highly vulnerable to respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19 and influenza. We evaluated COVID-19 and influenza vaccine ordering and administration rates among 13 of 14 Massachusetts county jails and compared them with rates in the general population. Results showed heterogeneity in the number of vaccines ordered per incarcerated individual across institutions, with small to medium-sized jails ordering more vaccines per person. Vaccine administration in jails utilized approximately 41% of the total vaccines ordered by jails. Additionally, the study revealed disparities in vaccine brand distribution between incarcerated and non-incarcerated populations, potentially perpetuating historical health inequities in carceral settings. Considering that vaccine hesitancy

SUBMITTER: Cassarino N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12285570 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature