By ANDREA VanVALKENBURG
PLATTSBURGH — At-risk inmates and staff at state prisons have begun receiving H1N1 vaccines.
“They are being distributed as we speak,” Department of Correctional Services spokesperson Erik Kriss said midday Friday.
The Department of Health has provided the state with 2,400 doses of the vaccine for inmates and staff who meet the same risk requirements as the general public.
Distribution of the initial shipment of 2,000 vaccines began about two weeks ago.
Officials expect the second shipment of 400 to head out to facilities Monday.
Kriss said pregnant inmates, all of whom are housed at downstate facilities, were at the top of the list to receive the vaccine.
“It’s provided on a risk-determined basis.”
Though some members of the public have questioned the distribution of vaccines to inmates, Kriss said it’s the state’s responsibility to remain vigilant in trying to curb the spread of the disease statewide.
“Prisons, as you can imagine ... are enclosed places where there are a lot of people, and those are exactly the kinds of breeding grounds for diseases like H1N1.
“And you want to make sure it doesn’t spread from one person to the next” or into the general public.
As of Friday, Clinton Correctional Facility had received 70 doses, while 110 others were divided between Upstate, Chateaugay, Bare Hill, Franklin, Lyon Mountain, Altona and Adirondack correctional facilities.
Kriss said all of those vaccines are being provided to staff, primarily health-care workers, not inmates.
The state agency expects to receive another shipment of 5,000 H1N1 doses this week for statewide use.
Kriss said all of the vaccines have come in the form of a shot, rather than the nasal-spray mist.
As in years past, inmates are still able to receive the seasonal-flu vaccine.
Kriss said the state received “enough seasonal (vaccines) so any general population inmate can get it if they ask.”
E-mail Andrea VanValkenburg at:
avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com
