New York must open COVID vaccine eligibility to all inmates, judge rules

A Bronx judge on Monday ruled that New York must offer all state prison and jail inmates the coronavirus vaccine — calling the group’s past eligibility exclusion “unfair and unjust.”

The decision by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Alison Tuitt came the same day that state officials announced all adults over 30 will be eligible to sign up for and receive the COVID-19 jab by Tuesday — and everybody 16 years and older can get the shot next week. “This decision by the Respondents to exclude these incarcerated persons from eligibility for the vaccine was unquestionably arbitrary and capricious, especially in light of the fact that Respondents approved vaccinations for all other congregate living facilities, including juvenile detention facilities,” Tuitt wrote in her ruling.