Oldham Council has teamed up with local GPs to ensure homeless people are given priority with Covid-19 vaccinations.
The mass roll-out of vaccinations in Oldham began in December and so far 3,700 have already received their first jabs, most of whom are over 80.
Oldham Council has now revealed it will be placing those who sleep rough or without a permanent address high on the list of vaccine recipients.
Councillor Zahid Chauhan, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, said: “People living on the streets, or those who have no permanent address, are some of the most vulnerable people in society and need help and support.
“Because they live on the streets they can also come into contact with a large number of people, which means if they have Coronavirus there is a big risk they could pass it on to others. That’s why it is important they are offered the vaccine.”
Zahid explained that he understands those who are homeless have likely experienced ‘a lot of trauma’ and therefore have ‘good reasons for not trusting healthcare providers and people in authority’.
He added: “But our message is the same to everyone – the vaccination is safe and if you are offered it please take it up as you are helping protect yourselves, your family, friends and the wider community.”
Oldham is one of the Greater Manchester boroughs that has been under the toughest restrictions for most parts of the pandemic. Infection rates are now the third lowest in Greater Manchester, but are seeing sharp increases.
