According to Mayor Darrell Steinberg, there are approximately 6,000 people experiencing homelessness in Sacramento. And as of this morning, Sacramento city paramedics will be walking block by block in Downtown Sacramento to give COVID-19 vaccinations. They will be stopping by encampments of unhoused individuals to ask if they would like the vaccination. Sacramento County Health Department is providing 100 does of Johnson & Johnson's vaccine, which may not be enough. This comes as a result of Councilwoman Katie Valenzuela's office and the city fire department coming together in the largest inoculation effort in the region.
Valenzuela's team has been reaching out to the homeless individuals to explain the vaccination program, as well as sign them up for services that can hopefully get them off the streets. Which may come sooner rather than later, as Caltrans plans major construction project on the W/X portion of the freeway. Part of the push for today's efforts to try and vaccinate is in preparation for construction.
Valenzuela states:
"Getting those folks vaccinated was a major concern. I think we are going to be able to do it. We are going to be able to get most folks vaccinated."
The effort is one of the largest to take place so far. You can read more about the program and its efforts here.