Metro health department and area shelters working together on plans to vaccinate homeless
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Updated: 6:02 PM EST Feb 2, 2021
Metro health department and area shelters working together on plans to vaccinate homeless
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Updated: 6:02 PM EST Feb 2, 2021
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GLADYS: FOR THE THOUSANDS OF HOMELESS IN LOUISVILLE, COVID-19 PRESENTS ANOTHER CHALLENGE IN AN ALREADY DIFFICULT SITUATION. >> THEY’RE SCARED. A LOT OF THEM ARE VERY ANXIO ABOUT THE VIRUS. GLADYS: THE DOORS OF WAYSIDE CHRISTIAN MISSION HAVE REMAINED OPEN DURING THE PANDEMIC, BUT AFTER A COVID OUTBREAK AT THE FACILITY IN DECEMBER, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER NINA MOSELEY TELLS ME A SPEEDY VACCINATION PROCESS IS CRITICAL. >> WHENEVER WE GET THE VACCINATIONS FOR OUR POPULATION, IT WON’T BE A MINUTE TOO SOON. GLADYS: WE ASKED LOUISVILLE METRO HEALTH OFFICIALS WHAT PLANS TO VACCINATE THE HOMELESS DURING PHASE 1-C LOOK LIKE. >> LOTS OF LOGISTICAL CHALLENGES WITH IT. THE VACCINE IS VERY FRAGILE AND SO OLD PLANS LIKE WE HAD WITH HEPATITIS A WHERE WE WERE ABLE TO GO OUT TO HOMELESS SHELTERS AND OTHER PLACES ARE MUCH MORE DIFFICULT WITH THE CURRENT VACCINE. AND WITH IT BEING TWO DOSES RIGHT NOW ALSO MAKES IT CHALLENGING. GLADYS: AND WE’RE TOLD, THE ONE-SHOT JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE SOON TO HIT THE MARKET IS KEY. >> WE HAVE HEARD THAT THEY WON’T VACCINATE THE ACTUAL RESIDENTS OF THE HOMELESS SHELTERS UNTIL THEY COME OUT WITH THE ONE-DOSE VACCINATION. THAT IS BECAUSE THE HOMELESS POPULATION IS FAIRLY TRANSIENT AND THEY’RE WORRIED THAT THEY’LL GIVE THEM THE FIRST DOSE AND NOT BE ABLE TO FIND THEM FOR THE SECOND DOSE. GLADYS: THOUGH SCIENTISTS SAY IT IS ONLY 66% EFFECTIVE, LESS THE TWO-DOSE VACCINES, IT COULD BE A GAME CHANGER FOR THE HOMELESS. >> IF EVERYBODY GETS SOME PROTECTION, IT’S BETTER THAN WHAT WE HAVE NOW. GLADYS: GLADYS BAUTIST