Town is first in Britain to give jabs to the homeless

THE homeless have received Covid-19 jabs in the first scheme of its kind in the UK after a council decided to prioritise them.

Oldham Council and local GPs deemed that they must have similar precedence to those who are aged over 80.

The decision comes amid claims there is ‘no uniform process’ across England over who is prioritised for the vaccine, with claims that GPs and Clinical Commissioning Groups are using their ‘ own discretion’.

Around 30 individuals have been vaccinated at a clinic set up at a shelter for the homeless in Oldham. More jabs are planned.

‘Not making rough sleepers who, with low immune systems are desperately susceptible to infections a priority, is symptomatic of a government who fails to understand their needs,’ said Oldham councillor Zahid Chauhan.

‘Being a GP has taught me that they are so prone to mental, dental, and physical problems. The idea that those with greatest need are being left for weeks without protection against a virulent infection is frankly horrifying.’

Oldham Council said more than 3,700 residents have taken up the offer of the vaccine since mass vaccination started in December.

Peter Gibson of the Homeless Friendly charity, which is involved in the initiative, would not comment on how giving the homeless priority might affect vaccinations for other vulnerable groups.

He added: ‘ Oldham Council decides who gets the vaccine.’

Kelly Heney, 38, and her partner Lee Ullha, 46, stay at the homeless shelter. Miss Heney said: ‘For me, I can’t believe it’s just happened. I’m excited and so happy that we have actually just had the Covid injection because it’s a big thing.’

Her partner, Mr Ullha added: ‘We got evicted when this Covid thing kicked in.’

Mike Barker, health and resources chief for Oldham Council said: ‘It is absolutely critical that we seek to protect as many lives as quickly as we can.’ Disabilities campaigner

Baroness Campbell tweeted yesterday about the vaccination programme: ‘There isn’t a uniform process across the country sadly. It seems that GP practices and CCG’s are behaving differently… using their own discretion.’

The Department for Health and Social Care was contacted for comment. Government guidelines put those with no fixed address sixth or even lower on the list of vaccination priorities.