FACT BRIEF

Does Colorado plan to administer COVID-19 vaccines to prisoners first?

Thursday, December 3, 2020

By Christopher Hutton

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Colorado's health department in October outlined plans for administering vaccines against COVID-19. First on the list to receive vaccines are medical workers, critical employees like police and firefighters, and people who live in nursing homes or long-term care facilities.

Prisoners are in a second phase which includes anyone living and working in "congregate housing," including homeless shelters and dorms as well as prisons. The phase also includes "essential" workers. Those over 65 and those with other health conditions putting them at higher risk are next. The rest of the public follows.

Gov. Jared Polis has said that prisoners should not be vaccinated prior to the public, and vowed to change the vaccination plan, despite the fact that prisons have experienced large COVID-19 outbreaks across the country.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources

Denver Post: Colorado COVID-19 vaccine plan will prioritize health care workers, nursing home residents

Google Drive: Colorado Public Health Department COVID-19 vaccination plan

State of Colorado: COVID-19 Vaccine Development and Planning

Denver Post: Governor says prisoners shouldn’t get COVID-19 vaccine before free people

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