Outbreaks in U.S. Migrant Detention Centers — A Vaccine-Preventable Cause of Health Inequity

This perspective article highlights the elevated rates of vaccine-preventable infectious diseases in U.S. migrant detention centers due to overcrowding, poor sanitation, and limited access to health care and vaccination. It underscores the inadequacy of current surveillance and reporting systems except for Covid-19, and advocates for mandated, systematic data collection and public reporting on all such diseases. The authors argue that better reporting would enable targeted vaccination policies, improved infection control, and ethical oversight, ultimately protecting detainees, staff, and surrounding communities.

This perspective article highlights the elevated rates of vaccine-preventable infectious diseases in U.S. migrant detention centers due to overcrowding, poor sanitation, and limited access to health care and vaccination. It underscores the inadequacy of current surveillance and reporting systems except for Covid-19, and advocates for mandated, systematic data collection and public reporting on all such diseases. The authors argue that better reporting would enable targeted vaccination policies, improved infection control, and ethical oversight, ultimately protecting detainees, staff, and surrounding communities.