Most States Did Not Prioritize Incarcerated People In Their Vaccination Plans As A Result Seven Months Since The First Vaccines Were Distributed Just 55% Of People In Prison Have Been Vaccinated Leaving Them Vulnerable To Infection
by Tiana Herring and Emily Widra,May 18, 2021
Throughout the pandemic, prisons have been a hotspot for COVID-19, with case rates in prisons betweenfour to five times higher than in the general population. Despite being disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, however, most states did not prioritize incarcerated people in their vaccination plans. As a result, seven months since the first vaccines were distributed, just 55% of people in prison have been vaccinated,1 leaving them vulnerable to infection.
Using data from the UCLA Law COVID-19 Behind Bars Data Project, The Marshall Project/AP, and other state-specific sources,2 we calculated the current rate of vaccinations among incarcerated people in 48 state prison systems and the federal Bureau of Prisons.3 For our measure of vaccination, we counted anyone who had received at least one dose of a vaccine as of May 14, 2021.4 Our findings are disheartening:
- In 17 state prison systems and the Bureau of Prisons, less than half of incarcerated people have received a vaccine.
- Vaccination rates are the worst in Utah, South Carolina, and Alabama where 20% or less of the prison population has received the first dose of a vaccine.
- And two states Florida and Wyoming have not released any vaccination information at all. Their lack of transparency makes it impossible to hold these Departments of Corrections accountable and ensure they are doing all they can to limit the spread of the virus.
Southern Oregon Surpasses 115000 Covid
On Sunday, southern Oregon counties including Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Lake and Curry counties eclipsed 115,000 total Covid-19 vaccinations.
MEDFORD, Ore– On Sunday, southern Oregon counties including Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Lake and Curry counties eclipsed 115,000 total Covid-19 vaccinations.
In Jackson County, one in four residents have now received at least one shot of a coronavirus vaccine, that’s about 62,293 people. According to data from the Oregon Health Authority, more than half of those 62,000 people, about 39,000, are also fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.
In Josephine County, more than 24,000 people have been vaccinated against coronavirus. Almost 9,000 people have recieved one shot of a Covid-19 vaccine while the other 15,000 people are fully protected against the virus.
Klamath County is up next with the third most vaccinations in southern Oregon with more than 19,000 people vaccinated.
Curry County has vaccinated 7,646 people and finally Lake County has vaccinated a little more than 2,000 people.
For the last several weeks southern Oregon counties combined have been increasing vaccinations by between 10,000 to 15,000 people by the end of each week.
Also according to data from OHA, more women have decided to get a vaccine shot than that of men in all southern Oregon counties. Right now the numbers show that more than 66,000 thousand woman have rolled up their sleeves to get a Covid-19 shot, while only 48,000 men have decided to do the same.
Covid Vaccine: How Many People Are Vaccinated In The Uk
BBC News
The UK is ramping up its Covid vaccine booster campaign – part of an attempt to reduce the impact of the new Omicron variant, currently spreading across a number of countries.
With nine in 10 of those aged 12 or over having had a single jab and eight in 10 having had a second, the focus has shifted to boosters, which show promising signs of protecting against illness and death from Omicron.
More than 25 million boosters or third doses have been given so far.
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Are The Vaccines Safe And Effective
Yes! COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. COVID-19 vaccines were evaluated in tens of thousands of participants in clinical trials. The vaccines met the Food and Drug Administrations rigorous scientific standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality needed to support emergency use authorization . On August 23, 2021, the to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for those 16 and older. These vaccines have undergone and will continue to undergo the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history. This monitoring includes using both established and new safety monitoring systems to make sure that COVID-19 vaccines are safe. .
I Need Help With Transportation To Get My Vaccinations
For those members enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan , either with a Coordinated Care Organization or as a Fee for Service member, transportation options include:
- Health Share of Oregon : 503-416-3955 or 855-321-4899
- Trillium : 877-583-1552
- OHP Fee for Service : 866-336-2906
For individuals not enrolled in OHP who need transportation assistance, there are other options:
- Ride Connection serves older adults and people with disabilities in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties . Call 503-226-0700.
- TriMet LIFT is a service for people who are unable to use regular buses and trains due to a disability or disabling health condition. Individuals should be enrolled before scheduling. Call 503-962-8000.
- One Call is for Providence members only. Call 866-733-8994.
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Vaccines Are Safe And Effective
The Food & Drug Administration requires rigorous safety testing before it will grant an Emergency Use Authorization . Tens of thousands of people from many diverse backgrounds, age groups and geographic locations participated in COVID-19 vaccine testing.
Based on the data collected, the federal Food and Drug Administration authorized three different vaccines for emergency use in the United States: the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, the Moderna vaccine and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, comprised of nationally acclaimed scientists with expertise in immunizations and public health, also independently reviewed the vaccine data collected and determined all three vaccines were safe and effective.
Millions of Americans have now been vaccinated, and strict ongoing safety checks have revealed no concerns.
The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has been given full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in individuals 16 years of age and older.
How Many People Received A Vaccine
- 61% of people in Marion County have received at least one dose of the vaccine, for a total of 204,597 people.
- 60% of people in Polk County have received at least one dose, for a total of 50,351.
- 54% of people in Marion County are fully vaccinated, for a total of 182,155 people.
- 55% of people in Polk County are fully vaccinated, for a total of 46,106.
For a county-by-county look at the vaccination rollout, see our COVID-19 vaccine tracker, which is updated daily.
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Where Can I Get A Vaccine Or Booster
All of the major health systems are providing COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters as well as the following locations:
Tektronix: This clinic organized by the Oregon Health Authority offers all three vaccines, including boost and pediatric doses. Located at 14200 SW Karl Braun Drive in Beaverton. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 12-7 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Walk-in only, no appointments. The line often extends to the outside, so dress warmly and carry an umbrella. . NO CLINICDecember 23-26, December 31 and January 1.
Beaverton Resource Center: This clinic takes place on Fridays inside the Beaverton Resource Center, 13565 SW Walker Road. All three vaccines are available, including boosters, third doses and Pfizer vaccines for kids 5-11. Make an appointment at . NO CLINIC on December 24 or December 31.
Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Centers: are open to the community and do not require you to be a Virginia Garcia patient. You do not have to have insurance to receive a vaccine. If you have insurance, bring your card with you. Please make an appointment.
Washington County’s Mobile Vaccine Team: The team is in the community five days a week providing vaccinations at schools, shelters and other locations. lists public clinics only.
Local pharmacies:
has a vaccine finder on their website.
Still have questions or need language assistance? Call our HelpLine at 1-833-907-3520.
Who Can Get A Booster
Everyone ages 16 and older who is fully vaccinated is eligible for a Pfizer-BioNTech booster. Everyone ages 18 and older who is fully vaccinated can get a booster. You can get your booster six months after youre fully vaccinated with the two-dose Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna and two months after you’re fully vaccinated with the one-dose J& J. The CDC is now the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines over the J & J vaccine.
Where to get a booster shot: Call your health care provider, click the pharmacy links above, or at one of three OHSU sites, including Hillsboro Medical Center and the drive-thru site at the Portland Expo Center.
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Kaiser Using Algorithm To Prioritize Vaccine Outreach
Kaiser Permanente has launched a pilot program that is even more targeted at getting the vaccine directly to people who need it the most.
The health system is using an algorithm developed by researchers at Oxford University, called QCovid, that uses factors like age, height, weight and ethnicity to predict an individuals risk of being hospitalized or dying from COVID.
Kaiser is using the model to stratify its patients and identify those who are at highest risk, have been eligible for vaccination for a while, and arent yet vaccinated.
They get a call from a physician volunteer offering to have a conversation and help schedule a vaccination.
A lot of these people have questions or concerns, and really just having that conversation about vaccinations and meet their patients where theyre at, its actually been quite successful, said Katie Sharff, an infectious disease specialist at Kaiser Permanente.
Sharff says about half of the patients in the pilot have either scheduled their shot with the volunteer or said they plan to.
States Ranked By Percentage Of Population Fully Vaccinated: Dec 21
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Vermont has the highest percentage of its population fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution and administration data tracker.
The CDC’s data tracker compiles data from healthcare facilities and public health authorities. It updates daily to report the total number of people in each state who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The numbers reported by the CDC may vary from the numbers published on individual states’ public health websites, as there may be reporting lags between the states and the CDC.
As of 6 a.m. EDT Dec. 20, a total of 204,098,982 Americans had been fully vaccinated, or 61.5 percent of the country’s population, according to the CDC’s data.
Below are the states and Washington, D.C., ranked by the percentage of their population that has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the CDC.
1. VermontNumber of people fully vaccinated: 477,991Percentage of population fully vaccinated: 76.6
2. RhodeIslandNumber of people fully vaccinated: 801,675Percentage of population fully vaccinated: 75.68
3. MaineNumber of people fully vaccinated: 1,009,404Percentage of population fully vaccinated: 75.09
4. ConnecticutNumber of people fully vaccinated: 2,643,186Percentage of population fully vaccinated: 74.14
5. MassachusettsNumber of people fully vaccinated: 5,099,160Percentage of population fully vaccinated: 73.98
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How Is The Vaccine And Booster Rollout Going
So far, more than 51 million people have had a first vaccine dose – some 89% of over-12s. Nearly 47 million – 81.5% of over-12s – have had both doses.
While uptake of first and second doses has dropped off, there has been a steep rise in people having boosters.
More than 25 million booster doses have been administered across the UK, with a daily average of about 540,000 jabs.
Vaccination rates have now levelled off in every age group in England apart from the youngest bands, as the chart below shows.
The highest rates of vaccination can be seen in the oldest age groups – among the first to be vaccinated.
Is There Enough Vaccine
Currently, the Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca, Moderna and one-shot Janssen vaccines are approved for use throughout the UK.
Others, such as those produced by Novavax and Valneva, have not yet been given the green light.
The UK had ordered more than 540 million doses of seven of the most promising vaccines, including the four so far approved for use.
In addition, the government has now signed deals to buy 114 million more doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to use in 2022 and 2023.
French vaccine maker Valneva said the UK government had scrapped a deal for 100m doses of its vaccine, which is yet to be approved.
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Oha Expresses Concern About Omicron Recommends Vaccination
PORTLAND, Ore. Oregon Health Authority is issuing a statement on the new COVID-19 variant known as Omicron, which the World Health Organization has classified as a variant of concern. The following is from Dean E. Sidelinger, M.D., M.S.Ed., health officer and state epidemiologist:
We know the emergence of the new variant of COVID-19, called the Omicron variant, is concerning for many Oregonians. We share that concern, and Oregon Health Authority epidemiologists are closely monitoring its transmission in other parts of the world.
What we do know is that the basic prevention steps we have long talked about remain the best ways to protect yourself against Omicron, Delta or any variant of COVID-19 that is circulating. Vaccination remains the best protection against COVID-19 infection and transmission, including most circulating variants.
Omicron has not yet been detected in the United States, but we expect it will be in the coming days due to its reported high transmissibility. Oregon has one of the most robust variant surveillance systems in the United States, and so far, no cases of Omicron have been detected in Oregon.
We know that news of Omicrons emergence will cause many people to experience some anxiety about the unknown. We also know there is a great deal of pandemic fatigue as cases, hospitalizations and deaths are reported daily. COVID-19 continues to disrupt our lives. I share these anxieties as we continue to face COVID-19.
11/29/21
Vaccinations in Oregon
Officials: Most Following Covid Guidelines
Allen said that most Oregonians are listening to public health guidance by wearing a mask and limiting social gatherings.
Youve made a difference, Allen said. You’ve literally saved the lives of thousands of people in your community across your state and, who knows, maybe even in your own family.
Brown said there was evidence that a two-week freeze on some activities instituted the week before Thanksgiving blunted the virus surge we were all dreading as we entered the Thanksgiving holiday.
Thanks to Oregonians respecting our safety measures and making changes to their holiday plans, we didn’t see the spike in cases we feared and as we saw following previous holidays, Brown said.
While Oregon has avoided worst case scenarios, the virus is still spreading, and Brown urged Oregonians to “rethink” any social plans for Christmas and New Year’s.
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If The Holidays Are Hard: Resources For Emotional And Mental Health
If you find it hard to fully enjoy the holidays, you are not alone. All of us are figuring out how to celebrate in ways that support our health, which is more than protecting against COVID-19. Here are some ways to support your mental and emotional health as you prepare for the holidays.
| Total cases | |
| Total tests | 8,470,723 |
Has The Rollout Been Even Across All Areas
Across the country, there continues to be some variation in the vaccine programme.
Scotland has vaccinated 91% of those aged 12 and over with at least one dose, while Wales has reached 90%, England 89% and Northern Ireland 87%.
Second doses are also being rolled out, with all nations reaching about 80% of over-12s so far.
Across the English regions, the South West has vaccinated 85% of the same age group with at least one dose, while London has reached 68%.
There have also been disparities between ethnic groups and poorer and wealthier areas.
Analysis of NHS records by the OpenSAFELY group – a collaboration between Oxford University and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine – shows that black people were the least likely to have received a vaccine.
The study was based on more than 20 million patient records in England and covers people not living in care homes. Areas of London are under-represented in the data.
In addition, vaccine take-up in poorer areas is lower than in more affluent areas.
For example, 88% of those aged 50 and over in the poorest areas had been given a vaccine by 10 November, compared with 96% in the most affluent.
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Who Can Get A Vaccine
Every Oregonian ages five and up is eligible for a vaccine. For Washington County-sponsored clinics and mobile vaccine events, anyone 14 or younger must be accompanied by a parent, a guardian or an adult designated by the parent or guardian. If the parent or guardian does not accompany the child, they must still complete and sign the COVID-19 vaccine consent form and fill out the pre-screening questionnaire. Teens 15 and older do not need to be accompanied by an adult and do not require parental consent in Oregon.
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Vast Majority Of Workers Comply With Oregon Washington Vaccine Mandates
TUALATIN, Ore. – The deadline came and went for state employees, healthcare workers and educators in Oregon and Washington to get vaccinated against COVID-19, get an approved exemption, or lose their jobs.
As weve been checking in with agencies, hospitals and school districts in our area, the vast majority of people complied with the mandates, in most cases more than 90 percent.
Tuesday, Governor Kate Brown thanked Oregonians for getting vaccinated.
“From health care workers to K though 12 educators, first responders and state employees, thousands more Oregonians have been vaccinated to protect against COVID-19 over the last several weeks,” Gov. Brown said. “You have helped to protect some of our most critical workplaces from the disruptions caused by COVID-19.”
Still, there are thousands of people who are now out of work because of this.
Jennifer Brooks, now a former ICU Nurse for Legacy Meridian Park in Tualatin, is one of them.
She said after weighing the risks and benefits of the vaccine, she decided she wasnt going to get it and didnt apply for an exemption.
So on Monday, she lost her job.
“I live a healthy lifestyle, Im young, I have no comorbidities and given that the injections, all of them were very new, very quickly produced and mass vaccinated in the public, I didnt feel it was the wisest decision for myself,” she said.
Federal regulators have said that extensive testing has shown the three vaccines are safe and effective.
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