Arizona prisons vaccinate more than 80% of inmates against COVID-19
Oct 30, 2021, 5:45 AM
(File photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
(File photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry said more than 80% of its inmates have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
“This exceptional success would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of many,” Director David Shinn said in a Wednesday press release.
“Our corrections officers and professional staff made fighting COVID a top priority and these numbers show just how good they are at their jobs.”
More than 50,000 inmates have been tested for the virus since February 2020, with 12,408 testing positive for COVID-19 and 56 confirmed deaths, according to the department’s dashboard.
RELATED STORIES
The department is one of the only correctional agencies in the country to test their entire inmate population for the virus twice, officials said.
COVID-19 vaccines are also available to inmates across its state and private prison facilities, and at intake facilities.
“The two greatest resources we received were tests and vaccines,” Shinn said in the release.
There were 12 positive COVID-19 cases system-wide, which is made up of 34,690 inmates, officials said Wednesday.
