Colorado Mental Health Institute Pueblo, prison workers mandated to get COVID-19 vaccine
Pueblo ChieftainAug 18, 2021
Aug. 19—State prison and
With 58.7% of
The vaccines are mandatory for all prison employees who interact with the public, inmates or parolees. Those who visit the prisons as part of their job assignment, such as volunteers or vendors, also will be required to receive the vaccine.
"We are allowing exemptions for medical and religious reasons," said
To date, 64% of the state inmate population is fully vaccinated and another 8% have received their first dose, Skinner said.
The mandate also extends to
State officials made the decision this week because the delta variant is increasing COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the state. Data shows that unvaccinated people are at a higher risk of getting the COVID-19 virus and spreading it to others.
The
"We have a responsibility to protect the health and safety of our staff and the incarcerated individuals in our custody to the best of our ability," said
"Some people will say that it is a personal choice whether or not they want to get vaccinated, but it is very difficult to socially distance in congregate settings and inmates do not have a choice regarding where they live and who they come in contact with.
"An individual who can get the vaccine and yet is avoiding it, is potentially putting the lives of the people around them at risk and incarcerated individuals at risk. Our dedicated staff have a responsibility to protect public safety and that includes protecting their loved ones, co-workers, inmates, parolees and communities from this potentially deadly virus," Williams said.
The vaccines are the most powerful tools, "we have to end this pandemic, but it's only effective when people get it," said
"We simply cannot allow the Delta variant to jeopardize the progress we have achieved in protecting Coloradans."
The delta variant is the most contagious version of COVID-19 reported so far, according to the
DOC staff members included in the mandate will have until
Staff members can either receive their vaccine through clinics hosted by their departments, or through any of the numerous public options around the state or their medical providers.
The
Proof of that vaccination can be obtained with a digital verified vaccine card at mycolorado.state.co.us.
Chieftain reporter
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