Advancing COVID-19 Vaccines in BC Prisons

COVID-19 Research Area(s): Epidemiology & Public Health, Politics, Governance & Law, Vaccines & Treatments

A previous COVID-19 study in BC Provincial Correctional Centres in January 2021 identified that COVID19 vaccine acceptance among people who are incarcerated (PWAI) was low, with only 59% (181/308) of PWAI surveyed indicating they would accept a COVID-19 vaccine if offered. To increase COVID-19 vaccine confidence among PWAI, the team will undertake a community-based study including PWAI in the research design process and as peer educators. Quantitative surveys will be developed with PWAI, then deployed to determine current vaccine literacy levels and concerns about COVID-19 vaccines among PWAI. Using this data, educational resources will be co-developed with PWAI, and peer-educator training provided to PWAI.