HUNDREDS of homeless people in Glasgow have been given their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine as part of an outreach programme.
Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (GCHSCP) is carrying out the operation, which has seen teams of nurses visiting temporary accommodation and support services to provide the injections.
Nearly 550 people have been vaccinated in almost 50 locations across the city including the Homeless Services centre in Hunter Street, the Homeless Hub in Argyle Street, hotels and other accommodation.
The HSCP is working with a range of partners including the Asylum Health Bridging Team, the British Red Cross and Mears Group.
READ MORE: Covid in Scotland: Health board is first to invite all over-18s for vaccine
Jim McBride, head of Glasgow’s Homeless Services, said: “It’s important that homeless people get access to Covid-19 vaccinations for their own protection and that of the wider community.
“We don’t want anyone in society to fall through the net, and reaching people with chaotic and transient lifestyles via the usual appointment system could have been problematic.
“Taking the vaccine to our service users, many of whom have underlying health issues, has proved much more efficient and, I’m happy to say, it has resulted in good take-up of vaccinations.
“Our Homeless Health Outreach team has been providing health and social care services to homeless people accommodated in hotels and other temporary accommodation throughout the pandemic.
READ MORE: Blood clot fears ‘had no impact’ on Covid vaccine intentions, Scots study finds
“This is an extension of that care provision for this vulnerable group.
“Vaccinations are continuing and people will be offered the second dose within 12 weeks of their first one.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here