New York is moving forward with a plan to provide the COVID-19 vaccine for older state prison inmates. The development, which came hours after family members sued over vaccine access, was praised by criminal justice reform advocates and knocked by Republicans. 

Inmates age 65 and older will have vaccine access, similar to the general population in the state. 

But those who have advocated for people living behind bars added on Friday more needs to be done for prisons during the pandemic. 

"Despite our repeated calls and warnings, DOCCS failed to ever execute regular mass testing for COVID-19," said Alexander Horowitz, the executive director of the group New Yorkers United for Justice. "Their reluctance to fully vaccinate the incarcerated population is a repeat of the same mistake. Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases continue to surge in their facilities and the death toll has risen to 31. Several other states have already followed the science and prioritized vaccinations for all incarcerated people." 

Republicans in the Legislature, meanwhile, blasted the decision to move forward with the vaccine for older incarcerated people as supplies have been bottlenecked.

"Providing vaccines to prisoners over our vulnerable populations - including those with cancer, immune diseases, or other potentially fatal comorbidities - follows the politics, not the science," said Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt.

"The Governor has made it clear he's not interested in listening to the Legislature. This decision makes it clear he's also not interested in hearing from vulnerable New Yorkers."