Unity Project homeless shelter on Dundas Street, London, Ont. (Hannah Theodore/XFM News)
As more Canadians get vaccinated against COVID-19, it’s left some questions. How do people experiencing homelessness get vaccinated?
“I think it’s really important to recognize that a lot of folks who are experiencing homelessness are quite capable of booking those appointments and attending them. Sometimes people need a little extra support, maybe that’s transportation or someone to attend with them,” says Chuck Lazenby, the executive director of Unity Project in London.
Right now, appointments are being booked either online or by phone. For those who don’t have access to a computer or phone, there are still options.
“We’ve been really fortunate in this community that there have been mobile clinics set up at different locations at different times, to be able to vaccinate those who are experiencing homelessness,” Lazenby says.
Mobile clinics do not require an appointment to get vaccinated. All that’s needed is the time and place.
For those who haven’t had the opportunity to get vaccinated yet, how are they able to stay protected and wash their hands?
“Certainly for individuals who are sleeping rough, access to those kinds of things is a lot more difficult. I think we all have an understanding that public washrooms aren’t as available as they used to be and so being able to wash your hands and having a safe place to store your stuff, including things like masks, is a very difficult task,” says Lazenby.
Unity Project is currently operating out of a hotel in order to comply with social distancing protocols. This means that people have their own bathroom and couples and pets can now be accommodated. They have their own bathroom to keep their hands washed and there are plenty of masks supplied to keep everyone safe.
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