Notes from the Field: COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Among Persons Experiencing Homelessness — Six U.S. Jurisdictions, December 2020–August 2021

Abstract

COVID-19 outbreaks have been reported in homeless shelters across the United States (1). Many persons experiencing homelessness are older adults or persons with underlying medical conditions, placing them at increased risk for severe COVID-19-associated illness. The proportion of persons experiencing homelessness who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in the United States is currently unknown. Many persons experiencing homelessness express a willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine (2,3).Through conversations with public health and housing assistance partners, CDC identified six* urban public health jurisdictions with data on vaccination coverage among persons experiencing homelessness. These six jurisdictions reported data on COVID-19 vaccinations † administered to persons experiencing intermittent homelessness during December 13, 2020-August 31, 2021. Full vaccination status § and evidence of coverage with at least 1 COVID-19 vaccine dose ¶ among persons experiencing homelessness were obtained by performing data linkage between immunization information systems and homeless services data systems or through data collection during vaccination events at homeless service sites. Total populations of persons experiencing homelessness were estimated using either the total number of persons accessing homeless * The six jurisdictions included

Ku-gaa-gii pimitizi-win, the COVID-19 cohort study of people experiencing homelessness in Toronto, Canada: a study protocol

“…Finally, the few studies to date that have investigated vaccine coverage among PEH report low coverage compared with the general population. US-based estimates place coverage among PEH 11.0%–37.2% lower than the general US population 31 32. Another recent Canadian study suggests vaccination rates among Ontario PEH who use healthcare are 25% lower than that of adult Ontarians 33…”

COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptability Among People Experiencing Homelessness in Central Florida and Southern Nevada, March-June 2021

“…This study also sheds light on opportunities to improve access to scientific information about COVID-19 vaccines. Although there seems to be acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines and the concerns expressed about vaccines are not remarkably different from the general population, COVID-19 vaccine coverage is still significantly lower among PEH than the general population 9,10. Improving vaccine confidence and reducing barriers to vaccination are especially important for people who may be receiving services in congregate settings, even if they spend most of their time outdoors.…”

Community Health Worker Perspectives on Engaging Unhoused Peer Ambassadors for COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach in Homeless Encampments and Shelters

“…7 , 8 Overall vaccination levels in the homeless community lag an estimated 15–25% behind levels observed in the population generally. 9 One study in Los Angeles found that 58% of young adults experiencing homelessness reported that they had not been offered a vaccine, suggesting a further problem of inadequate vaccine access and outreach. 10 Active vaccine outreach is especially important among people experiencing homelessness because of the long history of marginalization, mistreatment, stigma, and substandard care this population has experienced from healthcare providers.…”