Less than 10% of inmates in Bristol County say they want COVID vaccine, sheriff says

Jan 22, 2021
10 WJAR
By Kelly O’Neill

(WJAR) — All phase one priority groups are now eligible to be vaccinated in Massachusetts.

Congregate care facilities like the Bristol County Jail and House of Correction started vaccination efforts this week.

Doses of the Moderna vaccine started for inmates and detainees on Thursday, while staff members were vaccinated earlier in the week.

Despite being prioritized under Phase 1, only 56 of the 660 inmates and detainees, or less than 10%, said they are on board.

Fewer than 25% of all staff members have taken advantage of the opportunity, though the vaccine rollout is still underway and they can still change their mind, Sheriff Thomas Hodgson said.

“We cannot mandate anyone to take that shot, it’s their individual choice and right,” he said. “It becomes a public safety threat as well as a public health threat.”