Connecticut prison guards will begin to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations next week, acting state Corrections Commissioner Angel Quiros says.

However, at a legislative hearing Thursday morning, Quiros said an alarming number of staff say they're not interested in the vaccine or they're not sure if they will be.

A survey found 39% of prison workers will not get the vaccine. Fifteen percent said they were unsure -- numbers that worry state lawmakers.

"If only 50% of the members of your staff are getting vaccinated, what's the point?" asked Sen. Bob Duff.

In Connecticut prisons, more than 4,600 people have tested positive for COVID-19.

"Our biggest piece now is going to be, those individuals who said no -- to see the other 50% of their peers that are taking it and with no side effects, coming to work," Quiros said.

Sen. Marilyn Moore asked him if he had a plan to address the vaccine refusal.

"Education is going to be a big piece," he said.

Workers cannot be forced to take the vaccine, Quiros said, as there is no policy. Gov. Ned Lamont also said he wouldn't require it.

"You know, we found the nurses at the nursing homes – there was a little hesitancy early on, unlike the residents," Gov. Lamont said. "By the second time we came around, I think that number went up quite a bit."

MacDougall-Walker has one of the highest refusal rates, and that's where the most serious COVID patients are sent.

A surprise in the matter --- a union for prison workers demanded access to the vaccine as recently as Wednesday.

"This is literally a matter of life or death for correctional staff, their family members, inmates and their family members," said Collin Provost, AFSCME Local 391 President.

The state doesn't know how many inmates are willing to get vaccinated, but 27 inmates over the age of 75 will receive the vaccine on Monday.

Quiros also announced two prisons will close this year because inmate populations keep dropping. He plans to disclose which ones in a few weeks.