BACKGROUND:
Inmates have a greater burden of infectious diseases and risk factors for hepatitis than the general public. After their sentences have been completed, inmates are released into the community where they can put others at risk of becoming infected.

OBJECTIVE:
This study assessed the feasibility of local health departments implementing adult hepatitis vaccination services for inmates at county jails.

METHOD:
A three-page survey was sent to each of the 57 local health departments in New York State about health services that their staff performs in the county jails. Data on the type of servics offered, including hepatitis A and B vaccination was collected. Barriers to service and continuity of care after release were also assessed.

RESULT:
All 57 counties submitted the survey. Twenty-eight (49%) counties provided at least one type of health service in the county jail. Eighteen (31.5%) counties provide hepatitis vaccination services, and thirteen counties are interested in offering hepatitis vaccination services in the future. The most common reasons for local health departments not providing health services at the county jail are the county jail having its own staff, lack of local health department staff, and lack of funding.

CONCLUSION:
Inmates in county jails are good candidates for vaccination because they are available and often have risk factors for disease. Almost half of the counties in New York State have a relationship with their jail staff to provide some type of health service to the inmates; therefore it may be feasible to implement hepatitis vaccination programs at their jail. Vaccinating high-risk adults while they can be easily approached in the jail setting may result in reduction of hepatitis transmission and greater protection for the community.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Examine issues related to implementation of hepatitis vaccination in jail settings.