International Journal of Public Health (Jun 2022)

Unequal Access to Testing and Vaccination Services for the Homeless and Undocumented Population During COVID-19 Pandemic

  • Aldo Morrone,
  • Anna Rita Buonomini,
  • Alessandra Sannella,
  • Fulvia Pimpinelli,
  • Arianna Rotulo,
  • Arianna Rotulo

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/ijph.2022.1604851
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 67

Abstract

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Objectives: To furnish a model to ensure access and use of healthcare services to the undocumented and homeless population.Methods: Between March 2020 and October 2021, public and third sector actors in Rome implemented an accessible COVID-19 screening service and vaccination program targeting the homeless and undocumented population.Results: 95.6% of the patients tested negative to both rapid and molecular tests. 0.9% tested positive to both. 0.7% were false negatives, while 2.8% were false positives. None of the participants refused the diagnostic treatment. From July to October 2021, 1384 people received a complete cycle of the COVID-19 vaccine through the program. 632 (45.6%) also agreed to perform the antibodies testing before inoculation. 318 (50.31%) of these were positive at the time of vaccination.Conclusion: We present a cost-effective model for reducing structural barriers to access diagnostic and preventive services for the homeless and undocumented population that can be applied to different public health settings.

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