Oregon will begin vaccinating its inmate populations against COVID-19 after a federal judge ruled Tuesday that the state’s prison population should be prioritized, Oregon Live reported.
The ruling places inmates in Phase 1, Group 2 of vaccine deployment, giving them the same priority access as those living in residences and other long-term care centers. Previously, only correctional facility employees were included in this category, according to the Oregon Health Authority.
“Our constitutional rights are not suspended during a crisis,” Stacie Beckerman, a federal magistrate, wrote in her opinion Tuesday, The New York Times reported. “On the contrary, during difficult times we must remain the most vigilant to protect the constitutional rights of the powerless. Even in the face of limited resources, the state must fulfill its duty to protect detainees.”
Governor of Oregon Kate Brown
Kate Brown Night Health Care: Biden Introduces Vaccine Plan Focusing on Massive Inoculations | Coronavirus deaths worldwide exceed 2 million | CDC: A new variant could be the dominant strain in the United States in March Rulers say no additional doses of vaccine will arrive, despite Trump administrator’s promise At least 6 Republican lawmakers participated in Trump-inspired protests (D) said he will not fight the order.
“The court’s decision is clear and the state has decided not to appeal,” a spokesman for the governor’s office told Charles Hill on Wednesday.
Boyle noted that most inmates fell into Phase 1b before the court order.
“With the court ruling requiring an accelerated timetable and making it clear that vaccines should be offered to detained adults with Phase 1 prioritization, we will move forward with a weekly approach that will integrate detained adults into our distribution plans. of phase 1a, ”he said. .
Boyle said the inclusion of the approximately 12,000 inmates is not expected to influence the distribution of the vaccine to others, including educators and the elderly, but ultimately, “this depends on the weekly vaccine supplies we receive from the federal government.” .
Brown was previously criticized for his drive to vaccinate educators, prioritizing them over Oregon seniors, Fox News reported.
Brown defended his actions in a tweet, writing, “My decision to vaccinate educators, school staff and Oregon child care providers is simple: I’m using all the tools we have to get our children go back to the classroom this school year. “
My decision to vaccinate educators, school staff, and Oregon child care providers is simple: I am using all the tools we have to get our children back to the classroom this school year.
– Gov. Kate Brown (@OregonGovBrown) January 23, 2021
Brown previously promised in a Jan. 27 tweet that all 1st-class citizens would be vaccinated before Feb. 8, a deadline that appears to be in effect.
Other counties have done a fantastic job and have completed their first round of vaccinations for Phase 1 populations, and we will try to give first doses to all Phase 1 individuals statewide before February 8th.
– Gov. Kate Brown (@OregonGovBrown) January 27, 2021
According to Oregon Live, 3,392 cases of COVID-19 have been reported and 42 deaths have been confirmed in Oregon state prisons since the beginning of the pandemic.