Engaging Same-Day Peer Ambassadors to Increase Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination Among People Experiencing Unsheltered Homelessness in Los Angeles County: A Hybrid Feasibility-Evaluation Study-Reference-Cited by-同舟云学术

Engaging Same-Day Peer Ambassadors to Increase Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination Among People Experiencing Unsheltered Homelessness in Los Angeles County: A Hybrid Feasibility-Evaluation Study

Published:2022-10-07 Issue:Supplement_3 Volume:226 Page:S346-S352
ISSN:0022-1899
Container-title:The Journal of Infectious Diseases
language:en
Short-container-title:

Author:

Shover Chelsea L¹^ORCID,Rosen Allison²³^ORCID,Mata José³,Robie Brooke³,Alvarado Julissa⁴,Frederes Ashley⁵^ORCID,Romero Ruby¹,Beltran Jacqueline²,Bratcher Anna²^ORCID,Chang Alicia H⁶,Choi Kristen R⁷⁸,Garcia Candelaria²^ORCID,Shoptaw Steven⁹^ORCID,Guha Priyanka³,Richard Lindsey³,Sixx Gunner³,Baez Angel³,Coleman Anthony³,Harvell Sarah³,Jackson Shirnae³,Lee Caroline³,Swan Joanna³,Torres Kenny³,Kantrim Emily Uyeda³,McKeever Maya³,Nguyen Anh³,Rice Adam³,Rosales Marisol³,Spoliansky Jordan³,Bromley Elizabeth¹⁰,Behforouz Heidi³,Gelberg Lillian⁷⁹,Gorbach Pamina M¹²^ORCID,Rimoin Anne W²^ORCID,Thomas Emily H³

Affiliation:

1. Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine , Los Angeles, California , USA

2. Department of Epidemiology, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health , Los Angeles, California , USA

3. Los Angeles County Department of Health Services , Los Angeles, California , USA

4. Department of Environmental Health Sciences, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health , Los Angeles, California , USA

5. Department of Community Health Sciences, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health , Los Angeles, California , USA

6. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health , Los Angeles, California , USA

7. Department of Health Policy and Management, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health , Los Angeles, California , USA

8. UCLA School of Nursing, , Los Angeles, California , USA

9. Department of Family Medicine, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine , Los Angeles, California , USA

10. Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine , Los Angeles, California , USA

Abstract

Abstract Background This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of engaging unhoused peer ambassadors (PAs) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination efforts to reach people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Los Angeles County. Methods From August to December 2021, vaccinated PAs aged ≥18 years who could provide informed consent were recruited during vaccination events for same-day participation. Events were held at encampments, service providers (eg, housing agencies, food lines, and mobile showers), and roving locations around Los Angeles. PAs were asked to join outreach alongside community health workers and shared their experience getting vaccinated, receiving a $25 gift card for each hour they participated. Postevent surveys evaluated how many PAs enrolled and how long they participated. In October 2021, we added a preliminary effectiveness evaluation of how many additional vaccinations were attributable to PAs. Staff who enrolled the PAs estimated the number of additional people vaccinated because of talking with the PA. Results A total of 117 PAs were enrolled at 103 events, participating for an average of 2 hours. At events with the effectiveness evaluation, 197 additional people were vaccinated over 167 PA hours ($21.19 gift card cost per additional person vaccinated), accounting for >25% of all vaccines given at these events. Discussion Recruiting same-day unhoused PAs is a feasible, acceptable, and preliminarily effective technique to increase COVID-19 vaccination in unsheltered settings. The findings can inform delivery of other health services for people experiencing homelessness.

Funder

UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine COVID-19 Research Fund

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

National Institute on Drug Abuse

Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute

NIH

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)

Subject

Infectious Diseases,Immunology and Allergy