As a health plan that serves marginalized and under-resourced communities, L.A. Care has been advocating for health equity throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The disproportionate impact of the virus on Black and Brown communities has been well documented, and many people experiencing homelessness are members of these communities. Unfortunately, California’s current COVID-19 age-based vaccine prioritization doesn’t consider the fact that many experiencing homelessness are at higher risk, even if they are under 65.
Last week, L.A. Care joined a group of more than 50 high profile homeless service providers, advocates and other stakeholders in signing a letter urging the state to move to away from age-based prioritization for people experiencing homelessness. Instead, site-based vaccine delivery would be a much better strategy. Homeless shelters and encampments, like nursing homes, are high-risk residential settings. People living in certain settings, and those working with the individuals living there, should be given priority for the COVID-19 vaccine. This strategy and approach could then be customized based on the availability of a single dose vaccine.
L.A. Care supports policies that can help decrease the spread of COVID-19 in vulnerable communities, and a site-based strategy for vaccinating people experiencing homelessness and the frontline workers who serve them would do just that.
Update: On March 11, the California Department of Public Health issued updated eligibility guidelines for COVID-19 vaccinations, stating that individuals residing in a high-risk congregate setting will be eligible for a vaccine on March 15. This includes people living in homeless shelters and encampments. The new guidelines also apply to those working in high-risk congregate settings.