Equity in health and access to vaccination: reflections about the distribution of vaccines to individuals deprived of liberty during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To analyze content distributed in social media platforms, from 2020 to 2023, regarding access and allocation of vaccines against COVID-19 for people deprived of liberty (PDL), describing it and discussing the interface between published materials and health equality. To reach this goal, we used a qualitative approach, based on netnography methodological precepts. In addition, we employed Bardin’s content analysis method. During analysis, two main categories emerged. The first, called “Health of the person deprived of liberty”, was divided in two subcategories: “Prison as an epicenter of infectious diseases such as COVID-19” and “State civil responsibility for the health of the person deprived of liberty”. The second category, “Is health really universal?”, was divided in “Inequalities in the access to health services”, and, to a lesser extent, “Health as a right for all”. Both thematic categories contribute to understand the availability of COVID-19 vaccines for PDL, according to the perspective of specialists in the field and the population as a whole. This study emphasizes the importance of science communication to discuss issues that entail intense polarization, especially those related to health care in prison environments. Exploring the perceptions and discussions in social media platforms, we seek to increase understanding and promote a more inclusive conversation about the health of people deprived of liberty, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]