Extensive research has detailed the increased vulnerabilities of individuals experiencing homelessness as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, who are more likely to both contract and become severely ill or die from the virus. Additionally, professionals continue to unpack the issue of vaccine hesitancy/anti-vaccination movements among the working and upper classes.
What has received less attention is the topic of testing and vaccine hesitancy in homeless populations. In an article published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, Dr. Kelly Ray Knight and her team finds and examines the barriers that stand between homeless adults and preventative medical intervention regarding COVID-19.
In summary, their research found that the interviewees who tended not to seek testing did so for fear of negative repercussions. These included contracting the virus at testing centers, and loss of possessions or friends if left unattended. Additionally, respondents worried that leaving a shelter to get tested would cost them their place there, or that a positive test result would lead to their removal from a shelter.
As for vaccinations, most people reported that they would receive the jab if given the opportunity. Those against being vaccinated cited several factors in their decision, many of which stemmed from feelings of mistrust. These included fears surrounding being exploited as medical guinea pigs, negative past experiences with healthcare workers the healthcare system at large including discrimination based on race and class, and the notion that the vaccine needed more testing.
This research initiative tested certain methods to increase participation in testing and vaccination. Quite successful were incentivizing strategies such as bringing mobile testing sites into unsheltered areas and providing compensation for participating.
Based on these findings, the researchers recommend that the same methods be applied to vaccination initiatives. This data is currently being used to develop further strategies and programs with the goal of increasing testing and vaccination rates in homeless communities.
The mobile testing efforts described above were carried out by community health outreach workers under different initiatives. Volunteer outreach positions are abundant and often do not require experience. There are many ways to get involved, but one excellent local option is to volunteer for Hands On Greater Portland, which you can sign up to do here: https://www.handsonportland.org/about-membership
Knight, et al. (2021). COVID-19 Testing and Vaccine Acceptability Among Homeless-Experienced Adults: Qualitative Data from Two Samples. Journal of General Internal Medicine.
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