Luzerne County’s prison system will start administering coronavirus vaccines to inmates on Thursday, Correctional Services Division Head Mark Rockovich announced.
Participation is voluntary, and more than 185 inmates have signed up to receive the vaccination to date, he said.
Inmates will receive the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, he said.
Prison medical staffers will administer the shots. A distribution schedule had been developed so the medical department does not become overwhelmed treating potential side effects, Rockovich said.
Rockovich said he has been working with the state Department of Health for months to secure vaccines for inmates, but a sufficient supply only recently became available.
He is “strongly encouraging” inmates to consider the vaccines because they are more at risk in close quarters.
Rockovich was not aware of any confirmed cases within the prison population at this time. In late April, there were eight confirmed cases.
Inmates are quarantined upon arrival and must then test negative before they are permitted to be around existing inmates, he said.