The Department of Defense on Saturday halted a plan to give the COVID-19 vaccine to inmates at the Guantanamo Bay prison camp. The camp houses about 40 inmates, including high-quality inmates, such as the self-described 9/11 architect Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.
The Pentagon put the breaks on the program after Republicans criticized it for putting terror suspects in front of vulnerable Americans.
The plan became known on Friday when a Department of Defense spokesman confirmed to CBS News and other outlets that the department would administer COVID-19 vaccines to all inmates on a voluntary basis.
“COVID-19 vaccinations will be offered to all detainees and prisoners. It will be administered on a voluntary basis and in accordance with the department’s priority plan,” the spokesman said.
But the announcement was met with sharp criticism from IDP politicians. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy tweeted on Saturday, “President Biden told us he would have a plan to defeat the virus on Day 1. He just never told us it would be to give the vaccine to most Americans to terrorists do not give. “
New York representative Elise Stefanik tweeted that the plan was “inexcusable and non-American.”
By Saturday afternoon, the Pentagon had reversed the course. “No Guantanamo detainees have been vaccinated,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said. “We are interrupting the plan to move forward as we review protocols on the protection of power. We remain committed to our obligations to keep our troops safe.”
CDC vaccination guidelines say that both correctional staff and inmates are at greater risk of contracting the disease. The CDC recommends that staff and inmates be vaccinated at the same time to help control outbreaks in prison facilities and surrounding communities.
The vaccination plan was approved through a Jan. 27 memorandum signed by Terry Adirim, Chief Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs at the Department of Defense.
Guantanamo Bay opened in 2002 under former President George W. Bush to house so-called “high-quality” prisoners. After former President Barack Obama tried to close the prison camp during his eight years in office, former President Donald Trump committed himself to keeping the facility open.
Five 9/11 suspects are still awaiting trial at the military base, and the schedule has been further delayed over the COVID-19 pandemic.