People all over Hampton Roads are waiting for the flu vaccine because there's a shortage right now.
Meanwhile Gitmo detainees are about to get the vaccine and inmates at several prisons and jails across the country have or will get it too.
So, are Hampton Roads inmates getting the swine flu vaccine? NewsChannel 3 asked all seven cities jails - we heard back from three.
Hampton's jail says it will give inmates the vaccine. It's already ordered enough for every prisoner and as soon as the shipment arrives the shots will be given.
The Newport News sheriff's department says it has no plans to vaccinate any prisoners.
Portsmouth the same, unless an inmate catches swine flu.
"When you've got law abiding citizens and tax payers out there that have to wait in line behind inmatesÂ…I think the law abiding citizens have the right to the serum first."
Bill Watson is Portsmouth's sheriff.
He says his jail was told by the Virginia Department of Health that prisoners will only get swine flu vaccines after the general public has every opportunity to get them. But, "The minute we get it and we get the instructions we'll act accordingly"
Watson says he'll do what he's told, but doesn't believe inmates should get the vaccine - especially while the rest of us wait for it.
Lester Delacruz agrees.
"i don't think they deserve it. I think they should treat the more innocent people first"
NewsChannel 3 is still waiting to hear back from Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Suffolk on their inmate vaccination plans.
Meanwhile Gitmo detainees are about to get the vaccine and inmates at several prisons and jails across the country have or will get it too.
So, are Hampton Roads inmates getting the swine flu vaccine? NewsChannel 3 asked all seven cities jails - we heard back from three.
Hampton's jail says it will give inmates the vaccine. It's already ordered enough for every prisoner and as soon as the shipment arrives the shots will be given.
The Newport News sheriff's department says it has no plans to vaccinate any prisoners.
Portsmouth the same, unless an inmate catches swine flu.
"When you've got law abiding citizens and tax payers out there that have to wait in line behind inmatesÂ…I think the law abiding citizens have the right to the serum first."
Bill Watson is Portsmouth's sheriff.
He says his jail was told by the Virginia Department of Health that prisoners will only get swine flu vaccines after the general public has every opportunity to get them. But, "The minute we get it and we get the instructions we'll act accordingly"
Watson says he'll do what he's told, but doesn't believe inmates should get the vaccine - especially while the rest of us wait for it.
Lester Delacruz agrees.
"i don't think they deserve it. I think they should treat the more innocent people first"
NewsChannel 3 is still waiting to hear back from Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Suffolk on their inmate vaccination plans.
