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Reasons for COVID-19 vaccine refusal among people incarcerated in Canadian federal prisons.
Ortiz-Paredes, David; Varsaneux, Olivia; Worthington, James; Park, Hyejin; MacDonald, Shannon E; Basta, Nicole E; Lebouché, Bertrand; Cox, Joseph; Ismail, Shainoor J; Kronfli, Nadine.
  • Ortiz-Paredes D; Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
  • Varsaneux O; Correctional Service Canada (CSC), Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
  • Worthington J; Correctional Service Canada (CSC), Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
  • Park H; Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
  • MacDonald SE; Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
  • Basta NE; School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
  • Lebouché B; Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
  • Cox J; Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
  • Ismail SJ; Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
  • Kronfli N; Division of Infectious Diseases and Chronic Viral Illness Service, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
PLoS One ; 17(3): e0264145, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1896446
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Vaccine uptake rates have been historically low in correctional settings. To better understand vaccine hesitancy in these high-risk settings, we explored reasons for COVID-19 vaccine refusal among people in federal prisons.

METHODS:

Three maximum security all-male federal prisons in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario (Canada) were chosen, representing prisons with the highest proportions of COVID-19 vaccine refusal. Using a qualitative descriptive design and purposive sampling, individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with incarcerated people who had previously refused at least one COVID-19 vaccine until data saturation was achieved. An inductive-deductive thematic analysis of audio-recorded interview transcripts was conducted using the Conceptual Model of Vaccine Hesitancy.

RESULTS:

Between May 19-July 8, 2021, 14 participants were interviewed (median age 30 years; n = 7 Indigenous, n = 4 visible minority, n = 3 White). Individual-, interpersonal-, and system-level factors were identified. Three were particularly relevant to the correctional

setting:

1) Risk perception participants perceived that they were at lower risk of COVID-19 due to restricted visits and interactions; 2) Health care services in prison participants reported feeling "punished" and stigmatized due to strict COVID-19 restrictions, and failed to identify personal benefits of vaccination due to the lack of incentives; 3) Universal distrust participants expressed distrust in prison employees, including health care providers.

INTERPRETATION:

Reasons for vaccine refusal among people in prison are multifaceted. Educational interventions could seek to address COVID-19 risk misconceptions in prison settings. However, impact may be limited if trust is not fostered and if incentives are not considered in vaccine promotion.
Subject(s)

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Prisoners / Vaccination Refusal / COVID-19 Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research Topics: Vaccines Limits: Adult / Humans / Male / Middle aged / Young adult Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: PLoS One Journal subject: Science / Medicine Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Journal.pone.0264145

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Prisoners / Vaccination Refusal / COVID-19 Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research Topics: Vaccines Limits: Adult / Humans / Male / Middle aged / Young adult Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: PLoS One Journal subject: Science / Medicine Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Journal.pone.0264145