Across the nation, people experiencing homelessness are often left out of statesâ COVID-19 vaccine rollout plans â including Tennesseeâs.
That left the task of vaccinating the stateâs nearly 7,500 homeless people up to clinics and other groups in communities across the state, even though people experiencing homelessness, particularly those who are unsheltered, are considered higher risk for COVID-19 due to myriad factors including age and underlying health conditions.
For the hundreds of people without homes in Northeast Tennessee, it meant they were once again left out in the cold.
Thatâs why the East Tennessee State University Street Medicine Interest Group, or SMIG, an inter-professional group of students formed in 2019 to help the regionâs homeless population, stepped in. On Saturday, March 20, they administered 20 doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at a pop-up event outside Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church.
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JOHNSON CITY – The Street Medicine Interest Group (SMIG), a new student organization at East Tennessee State University, is building bridges with community partners to help people who are experiencing homelessness overcome barriers to health care.
The group hosted its first flu clinic on Friday, Dec. 18, at Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church. This event provided donations of warm clothing to many and flu shots to 12 individuals who are experiencing homelessness in the Appalachian Highlands.
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The SMIG is an interprofessional student organization that is comprised of approximately 60 students representing ETSU s five health sciences colleges including the Quillen College of Medicine, Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, College of Nursing, College of Public Health and College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences. It was organized by students who were looking for a way to make a difference in the community.