Only 537 from 5 356 elderly inmates receive Covid-19 vaccine

Just over 500 inmates have received their Covid-19 vaccines, according to the Department of Correctional Services (DCS).

This was approximately 10 times less than the number of inmates over 60 years of age in South African prisons.

Phase 2 of vaccinations kicked off on May 17 and was targeted at people over the age of 60 and the remainder of healthcare workers from phase 1.

According to correctional services spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo they were following the prescribed vaccination roll-out programme by the health department.

“In our correctional system, we only have 5 356 inmates above the age of 60, hence the low vaccination totals.

“We will have bigger numbers when the country moves to vaccinate those who are 49 years and above.”

Nxumalo said as of June 24, the DCS had already jabbed 797 healthcare professionals, amounting to 77.9% of the total correctional services healthcare workers.

He said that 90 officials as well as 537 inmates aged over 60, had received their first doses of the Pfizer vaccine.

“Other inmates and officials will receive the vaccine during the next phases. We remain committed to ensuring that inmates receive their Covid-19 vaccinations in order to achieve population immunity in correctional facilities.”

He said since vaccination started, there were no reports of side effects or complications reported to date.

However, their facilities had recorded 260 Covid-19 related deaths (182 officials and 78 inmates).

“We have made it our obligation to continuously remind our officials, inmates and those residing in our facilities about the importance of adhering to Covid-19 interventions and protocols put in place by our government.”

Nxumalo said in managing the pandemic in correctional facilities, the department developed the Standard Operating Procedures (known as SOPs) for preparedness, detection and response to Covid-19.

“These SOPs provide guidance on mitigation strategies that must be implemented to prevent, detect and respond to Covid-19 in DCS. The SOPs are reviewed as required to incorporate new developments.

“These procedures are also aligned to government’s risk categorisation in terms of alert levels,” he said.

He said through SOP’s, visitations to correctional centres were also currently limited to only two visits per inmate in a month.

“The department continues to implement the non-pharmaceutical measures of Infection Prevention and Control in order to curb the spread of the infections. Measures that are put in place include limitations in movement in and out of the centres in order to comply with Infection Prevention and Control.”

He said broad immunisation was critical to helping stop the current pandemic and to protect the correctional services community.

“It is critical that we all continue to follow the current guidance to protect ourselves and others, including wearing a mask, observing physical distancing, avoiding crowds, and washing of hands often.

“Even individuals staying within our premises, inmates and officials who are vaccinated have been urged to continue with these protective practices.”

Nxumalo said all correctional centres were well stocked with personal protective equipment.

“Our top priority remains the health and safety of our officials, inmates and the public. We will therefore continue to monitor the situation and adjust safety measures and operating procedures where necessary.”

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