Welcome news that homeless people prioritised in vaccine roll out

Responding to the latest JCVI advice on the prioritisation of homeless people and rough sleepers for the COVID-19 vaccine, Dr Graham Jackson, GP and senior clinical adviser to the NHS Confederation said:

“This is welcome news and builds on what many local vaccination sites have been doing already to ensure access to the coronavirus vaccines are as equitable as possible.

“Homeless people can be among the most vulnerable in our society, often having high rates of undiagnosed chronic conditions, feeling detached from society, and not being registered with a GP.  It is right that a consistent approach is taken to prioritising their immunisation, which the JCVI’s guidance will facilitate.

“Primary care networks have a vital role to play in reaching out to all people in the community they serve, and we now await the guidance from NHS England on how this update should be taken forward.”