On Wednesday, Sangamon Sheriff Jack Campbell and his Deputies announced that they have begun vaccinating inmates currently housed at the Sangamon County Jail for COVID-19. In an issued press release, Campbell says that they are giving out the Johnson and Johnson vaccine due to it being a one shot dose. Of the 350 inmates in Sangamon County, about half had indicated they would want the vaccine. Sangamon County Sheriff’s have told inmates that this is a purely volunteer vaccination and is not mandatory. 

Involved in the process, was two nurses from Sangamon County Public Health, six medics from the Illinois National Guard, and Corrections Staff from the jail.  111 of the 336 inmates signed up for the vaccination and six vaccination stations were set up in the gym. During the vaccination process, 28 inmates changed their mind, 9 inmates who hadn’t signed up, indicated they wanted the vaccination, and 14 employees also received it. In all, 106 vaccinations were given in about 2 hours. 

The Sheriff’s Office continues to monitor the inmate population and will coordinate with Public Health to provide more vaccinations in the future for those who want it.