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Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
By the end of the presentation participants will be able to understand the obstacles to and benefits of implementing routine hepatitis B vaccination in the incarcerated setting.
Background:
Prisoners are disproportionately affected by hepatitis B virus (HBV). A safe and effective vaccine is underutilized in correctional settings.
Methods:
We implemented routine hepatitis B vaccination in the Rhode Island Department of Corrections (RI DOC), which is both a prison and a jail serving the entire state at a single site.
Results:
In the first 30 months of the program in the Women's Division (jail setting), 871 inmates received at least 1 dose of HBV vaccine, with an acceptance rate of 58%. In the first 19 months of the program in the Men's Division (prison setting), 1,408 inmates have received at least one dose, with an acceptance rate of 96%. Vaccination is now integrated into the “culture” of the RI DOC and is well accepted by staff and inmates. Aside from the cost of vaccine, the program poses little additional work or cost for correctional health care staff.
Conclusions:
Given the cost of vaccine, routine vaccination is possible in the incarcerated setting with high rates of acceptance, and minimal procedural disruption.
See more of D6 - Hepatitis Prevention and Care in Corrections and Beyond...
See more of The 2005 National Viral Hepatitis Prevention Conference