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<p>MHCLG is working closely with DHSC, Public Health England, and NHS England to ensure
the health and care needs of vulnerable people experiencing rough sleeping can be
met during the COVID-19 pandemic – including access to the vaccination.</p><p>We have
asked all local authorities to ensure that rough sleepers are safely accommodated
and that this opportunity is used to make sure that all rough sleepers are registered
with a GP and factored into local area vaccination plans, in line with the Joint Committee
on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) prioritisation for COVID-19 vaccinations. This
will help ensure that the wider health needs of people who sleep rough are addressed,
supporting them now and for the future.</p><p>The JCVI are the independent experts
who provide advice to Government on which vaccine(s) the UK should use, and which
groups to prioritise. The JCVI have advised that the first priorities for any COVID-19
vaccination programme should be for the prevention of COVID-19 mortality and the protection
of health and social care staff and systems.</p><p>Many people sleeping rough will
be a priority for the COVID-19 vaccine due to underlying health conditions. Secondary
priorities could include vaccination of those at increased risk of hospitalisation
and at increased risk of exposure, and to maintain resilience in essential public
services.</p><p>We continue to work with the homelessness sector, local authorities
and health and care partners, to ensure the needs of those experiencing homelessness
can be met.</p>
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