ADDRESSING VACCINE HESITANCY IN CALIFORNIA PRISONS

ABSTRACT

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM/QUESTION Although widespread vaccination in prisons is crucial for preventing COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in both prisons and their surrounding communities, there is little data on how to effectively perform vaccine outreach to people experiencing incarceration who remain unvaccinated. DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM/INTERVENTION In 2021, California state prisons started hosting institution- wide COVID-19 vaccine education events with a focus on those who remain unvaccinated;based on their success, these events are being replicated across the state. Elements that contributed to their success are summarized so that they may be employed in other facilities. 1) Make vaccine education enjoyable, for example with games, an art contest, or free food in addition to question and answer sessions. 2) Optimize attendance by co-locating with another popular event. 3) Administer vaccines at the event and offer more than one option if possible. 4) Diversify sources of information and bring in outside public health experts, trusted advocates, or formerly incarcerated people to ensure residents have access to multiple sources of information. 5) Consider engaging formal and informal leaders in prisons beforehand as their support may encourage peer vaccination. 6) Distribute high quality information that is easy to read, for example AMEND's COVID-19 FAQs that are based on questions from incarcerated people and their loved ones. 7) Continue to offer the vaccine after the event and ensure those who remain unvaccinated know how to access vaccines if they become interested. MEASURES OF SUCCESS Program success was measured by the percentage of the population who attended the event and the percentage of unvaccinated residents who were vaccinated at the event. Future events should assess what information unvaccinated participants believe would be most beneficial in their decision-making process and whether the event delivered that content. FINDINGS TO DATE At the first event at a high security prison with over 2800 residents, 11% of unvaccinated residents (113 individuals) received their first COVID-19 vaccine. At the second prison with over 2600 residents, 19% of unvaccinated residents received their first vaccine (165 individuals). KEY LESSONS FOR DISSEMINATION As vaccination against COVID19 continues to be a critical method for optimizing the health and safety of people living in congregate living environments, interventions that increase trust and acceptance of vaccines in correctional settings are of paramount importance. These successful vaccination events in California state prison hold important lessons for other correctional institutions and congregate living facilities seeking to disseminate vaccine information and encourage COVID19 vaccine uptake.