Vaccine rollout begins in DC shelters and PEP-V centers
D.C. began distributing COVID-19 vaccines to people experiencing homelessness in low-barrier shelters and Pandemic Emergency Program for Medically Vulnerable Individuals, or PEP-V, centers this month.
The D.C. Department of Human Services is collaborating on the rollout with Unity Health Care, a nonprofit that offers medical services to people experiencing homelessness in D.C. This distribution is part of Phase 1B of the vaccine rollout in the District, which includes essential workers and at-risk populations.
The nonprofit vaccinated residents in all PEP-V centers the first week of February, said Dr. Anne Cardile, the medical director for healthcare for the homeless at Unity Health Care. Vaccines are now being administered at low-barrier shelters beginning with locations with the largest number of residents and continuing to locations with the fewest people. Unlike most vaccine appointments in the District, a photo I.D. is not required to receive the vaccine at the shelter clinics.
Unity announced COVID-19 vaccinations and in-person appointments were delayed due to inclement weather Feb. 1. But, according to Cardile, no vaccine delays occurred because no appointments were scheduled for Feb. 1. Vaccinations began on Feb. 2 in PEP-V centers.