The South Eastern Trust has launched its Pneumococcal vaccination programme for those experiencing homelessness, marking a first for the Trust.
As temperatures fall and Winter creeps in, Trust Homeless Health Nurse Lisa Ewart explained how she will be delivering the Pneumococcal vaccine across family hostels, refuges and other settings accessed by people who are homeless. The vaccine protects against bacterial infections such as Pneumonia and Sepsis.
Lisa said, “As well as the roll out of the flu vaccine, the Pneumococcal vaccination is now also being offered during the clinic. People experiencing homelessness have a lot of health inequalities. They are vulnerable in lots of different ways and face barriers to accessing healthcare. It is really important that we bring healthcare to them.”
“We want to protect the vulnerable people in our society and that is those who are homeless or living in temporary accommodation.”
Lisa added how her message, this Winter, to those in sheltered accommodation is, “Come and see us. Come and get your vaccinations to protect yourself, protect your families. We are out on the doorsteps delivering these vaccinations. There are no barriers.”
Receiving her Pneumococcal vaccine at the DePaul family hostel on the Stewartstown Road in West Belfast, DePaul Family Services NI, Programme Group Manager, Bernie Donaghy shared how having Lisa, “Come to our service is absolutely priceless.”
“Having the clinic is such a resource that is welcomed by DePaul. I can’t begin to explain how this service breaks down the barriers to health inequalities, hospital waiting lists and GP times. The service that Lisa provides is brough to us and is delivered in the comfort of our residents’ own environment, which means they will be more likely to take up the vaccination programme.
“It is a tremendous resource to have this service in our hostel.”