Board discusses mobile vaccine outreach and possible needle-exchange to reach people living outdoors

Staff members and board members discussed expanding vaccination outreach to encampments and whether to start a formal needle-exchange program.

"And how can we serve them better? So we were talking maybe perhaps bring vaccine clinics to their areas. Not every single homeless has access to the clinic, although the clinic offers those, services, but perhaps going to the little the encampments," said Speaker 1, a staff member, describing outreach ideas for people who cannot reach fixed clinics. The speaker also noted an existing weekly clinic: "So every Friday, they're still holding. Every single Friday. So regardless if what we what we can do, from now on, they still hold that, vaccination clinic." (Speaker 1)

Why it matters: Board members said taking clinics to where people are could increase vaccine uptake among people experiencing homelessness and other groups who face access barriers. The board also discussed whether to begin a formal needle-exchange program and how sharps disposal is currently handled.

Details and discussion

Board members and staff said police currently collect some needles but do not operate an exchange. "They have, the police have they receive needles, but I don't think they provide in exchange," Speaker 1 said. The same speaker noted an existing contract with a biohazard company: "we still have a contract with, with the biohazard company that picks up the the the needles. So we can start that practice if that's what you recommend." (Speaker 1)

Participants flagged the need to clarify the target populations for outreach beyond people experiencing homelessness — for example, young adults who use drugs in…