Doctors of the World launches project to improve access to COVID-19 vaccines

Doctors of the World UK (DOTW) has launched a project to ensure that everyone in the UK has access to COVID-19 vaccines, regardless of immigration status. As well as producing translated COVID-19 information resources, DOTW will play a proactive advocacy and coordination role in the roll-out of the UK’s vaccination programme, under its new COVID-19 Vaccine Advocacy Project. It is essential that everyone living in the UK is included in this programme, regardless of immigration status, both from a public health perspective and a moral one. But some communities face being missed in the roll-out. At the sharp end of the pandemic Migrants, refugees, people experiencing homelessness, sex workers, and Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities in the UK have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. These communities are at increased risk of contracting the virus, experience worse health outcomes, and face more barriers to healthcare services than the general population, as highlighted in various reports, including DOTW’s COVID-19 Rapid Needs Assessment. However, the UK Government’s efforts to include these communities in public health measures and social safety nets have been woefully inadequate. Tackling barriers to GP registration As the roll-out of vaccines will be predominately via primary care, it is essential that everyone living in the UK is registered with a GP. However, there are well-documented issues with GP registration for people su...
Source: Doctors of the World News - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tags: Uncategorised Source Type: news