The vaccination of homeless people, including those who do not have identification documents have begun in the Western Cape.
It’s estimated that over 14 000 people are homeless in Cape Town.
The Non-Profit Organizations (NGO) in the sector have worked closely with the health department to find ways of ensuring that those without ID’s, who are eligible, are not left behind.
A pilot project, using the single-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine has been rolled out at a homeless shelter in Cape Town.
Johannes Davids, one of the over 100 homeless people who had received the single shot J&J vaccine at this facility by midday, says, it was important for him to get vaccinated to keep safe, as being homeless in the middle of the pandemic is very difficult.
He was assisted without an ID.
“I didn’t wait long at all. I stood in the queue and I came in as they said. I got my vaccination.”
Some of those who came for their injections say they’ve lost loved ones in the pandemic.
Charles Carstens says, “I am very anxious to get it because I lost my wife and kids on Level 5 last year. That’s why I came for my vacccination and I feel very proud.”
NGO’s working in the sector raised their concerns with provincial health authorities, fearing that homeless people would be left behind because many did not have ID documents.
They’ve also facilitated education among the homeless about COVID-19 and the vaccines.
Annie Kirke Hope Exchange says, “Some of the concerns were people who have chronic health. So, people had questions about the vaccine, asking if the vaccine was safe to use, and also those who use substances had real concerns.”
Provincial Health authorities say they are doing everything in their power to ensure that the homeless who are eligible for the vaccine, do not fall through the cracks.
A look at dos and don’ts before, after COVID-19 vaccination:
Registration details are captured manually and will be fed into the EVDS system at a later time.
Western Cape Health MEC Dr Nomafrench Mbombo says, “It is supposed to be the responsibility of the national government through the National Command Council for COVID-19, to come up with a framework on how we deal with these issues, and Home Affairs is supposed to assist in this regard. But we cannot wait for longer because like now, not only are we in the third wave, we are being dubbed as an epicentre.”
Ten shelters have been identified as possible vaccination sites in the metro, but health authorities say outreach teams are also ensuring that the homeless in rural areas will be given the opportunity to get vaccinated.
