Mark King, chair of the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB) says plans are in the works to get the area’s homeless vaccinated against COVID-19.
“We are trying to narrow down the situation to see how exactly the health unit wants to handle it,” he said.
Media reports over the weekend indicated vaccinations were slated to begin in Toronto homeless shelters this week.
King, however, is still waiting on more direction from the Health Unit but does have some ideas in mind.
“From my viewpoint, the low-barrier shelter and the Gateway House I would think suit the needs for that,” he suggested.
Should the homeless population get vaccinated, King says it could free up some more money for DNSSAB as it is currently paying for a dedicated isolation shelter for any homeless who get COVID-19.
As far as education and awareness of the vaccines for the homeless population, King says DNSSAB’s entities and community partners, such as The Gathering Place and Hope’s Kitchen, will play a role.
“All these different organizations that are all available to get the word out, I would certainly expect those people to a part of the process,” King said.
The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit and Ontario’s official COVID-19 vaccine framework have not indicated where the homeless population falls in with the vaccine’s rollout.
King says DNSSAB will work with the Health Unit to ensure the homeless get their vaccines whenever the time comes.
