JANESVILLE, Wis. – After a tumultuous last six months of COVID-19 struggles within the Rock County Jail, including a December outbreak that infected nearly half of the inmates, a vaccine has arrived.
HealthNet of Rock County worked to provide 150 single dose Johnson and Johnson vaccines to inmates who wanted to take the shot.
“It’s just an incredible sense of relief here as we come in today,” said Rock County Sheriff Troy Knudson. “Now, if (inmates) are concerned about getting COVID, they get an opportunity to get this shot and protect themselves.”
The vaccines were secured following advocacy from local lawmakers, says HealthNet CEO Ian Hedges.
“I understand the concerns of individuals who are wondering why inmates are getting the vaccine and not themselves,” Hedges said. “What I will say is we know people that are in congregate living facilities are at a higher risk for infection.”
Furthermore, both Hedges and Knudson say the inmate vaccinations will protect jail staff from the virus.
“Despite our best efforts of prevention, facemasks, shields, gloves, temperature checks every day, you still worry a great deal about COVID finding it’s way in here with everyone being so close together,” Knudson said. “They don’t get the opportunity to go out or choose who comes into their sections.”
Hedges says by vaccinating inmates, they’re reaching a portion of the population that would oftentimes be overlooked.
“It’s best for not only the inmates, but the general public and their families that these individuals are vaccinated,” Hedges said. “No matter who the person is – whether they’re an inmate or not. Whether they’re Black, White, Hispanic, Latinx, Asian-American or Pacific Islander, our goal is that everyone gets (the vaccine) across the board.”
“I think we all recognize that everyone who can get vaccinated and wants to get vaccinated should,” Knudson said. “That helps to protect others in the community who for one reason or another can’t.”
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