Understanding uptake of the COVID-19 vaccination among the homeless: A mixed methods evaluation.
<h4>Background</h4>Ensuring effective access to vaccinations for people experiencing homelessness is crucial to protecting the health of a vulnerable, yet often overlooked population. Reaching this goal takes more than a one size fits all approach. This study evaluates how a dedicated he...
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| Format: | Article |
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Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2025-01-01
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| Series: | PLoS ONE |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0312617 |
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| author | Grace Phillips Emmy Racine Anna Marie Naughton Julieann Lane Patricia M Kearney |
| author_facet | Grace Phillips Emmy Racine Anna Marie Naughton Julieann Lane Patricia M Kearney |
| author_sort | Grace Phillips |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <h4>Background</h4>Ensuring effective access to vaccinations for people experiencing homelessness is crucial to protecting the health of a vulnerable, yet often overlooked population. Reaching this goal takes more than a one size fits all approach. This study evaluates how a dedicated health team collaborated with multiple agencies to register and deliver the COVID-19 vaccine to people experiencing homelessness.<h4>Methods</h4>This is a mixed methods study co-designed with the Adult Homeless Integrated Team, a multi-disciplinary team who work with local agencies to provide care to people experiencing homelessness in Cork, Ireland's second largest city. Quantitative data collected at the point of vaccine registration described socio-demographics of the population. To explain the quantitative findings, eleven agencies involved in provision of homeless services were invited to participate in interviews. A manager in each of the agencies acted as a gatekeeper to clients. Interviews explored experiences with the pandemic and the delivery (staff) or receipt (clients) of the COVID-19 vaccine. Interviews were recorded and transcribed, transcriptions were thematically analysed.<h4>Results</h4>There were 728 vaccine doses administered to people experiencing homelessness during the first roll-out of vaccines; 401 first doses and 325 second doses. Of those who received a vaccine, the majority were male (76%), and more than half were Irish (55%). Ten semi-structured interviews, seven staff members and three clients, were conducted. There were three themes that provided further insights into the quantitative findings: Adapting to unprecedented times, Misinformation causing vaccine hesitancy and The importance of building relationships.<h4>Conclusions</h4>This study provides valuable insights into how a multidisciplinary approach resulted in a successful well received vaccination programme among a traditionally hard to reach group. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bc2dc397f0a54c59b4f2f42be33c2c03 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1932-6203 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
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| series | PLoS ONE |
| spelling | doaj-art-bc2dc397f0a54c59b4f2f42be33c2c032025-01-17T05:31:37ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032025-01-01201e031261710.1371/journal.pone.0312617Understanding uptake of the COVID-19 vaccination among the homeless: A mixed methods evaluation.Grace PhillipsEmmy RacineAnna Marie NaughtonJulieann LanePatricia M Kearney<h4>Background</h4>Ensuring effective access to vaccinations for people experiencing homelessness is crucial to protecting the health of a vulnerable, yet often overlooked population. Reaching this goal takes more than a one size fits all approach. This study evaluates how a dedicated health team collaborated with multiple agencies to register and deliver the COVID-19 vaccine to people experiencing homelessness.<h4>Methods</h4>This is a mixed methods study co-designed with the Adult Homeless Integrated Team, a multi-disciplinary team who work with local agencies to provide care to people experiencing homelessness in Cork, Ireland's second largest city. Quantitative data collected at the point of vaccine registration described socio-demographics of the population. To explain the quantitative findings, eleven agencies involved in provision of homeless services were invited to participate in interviews. A manager in each of the agencies acted as a gatekeeper to clients. Interviews explored experiences with the pandemic and the delivery (staff) or receipt (clients) of the COVID-19 vaccine. Interviews were recorded and transcribed, transcriptions were thematically analysed.<h4>Results</h4>There were 728 vaccine doses administered to people experiencing homelessness during the first roll-out of vaccines; 401 first doses and 325 second doses. Of those who received a vaccine, the majority were male (76%), and more than half were Irish (55%). Ten semi-structured interviews, seven staff members and three clients, were conducted. There were three themes that provided further insights into the quantitative findings: Adapting to unprecedented times, Misinformation causing vaccine hesitancy and The importance of building relationships.<h4>Conclusions</h4>This study provides valuable insights into how a multidisciplinary approach resulted in a successful well received vaccination programme among a traditionally hard to reach group.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0312617 |
| spellingShingle | Grace Phillips Emmy Racine Anna Marie Naughton Julieann Lane Patricia M Kearney Understanding uptake of the COVID-19 vaccination among the homeless: A mixed methods evaluation. PLoS ONE |
| title | Understanding uptake of the COVID-19 vaccination among the homeless: A mixed methods evaluation. |
| title_full | Understanding uptake of the COVID-19 vaccination among the homeless: A mixed methods evaluation. |
| title_fullStr | Understanding uptake of the COVID-19 vaccination among the homeless: A mixed methods evaluation. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Understanding uptake of the COVID-19 vaccination among the homeless: A mixed methods evaluation. |
| title_short | Understanding uptake of the COVID-19 vaccination among the homeless: A mixed methods evaluation. |
| title_sort | understanding uptake of the covid 19 vaccination among the homeless a mixed methods evaluation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0312617 |
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