Rough sleepers in Watford will be offered support and Covid-19 vaccinations.

While the Government continues to roll out its vaccination programme based on priority, local GPs in Watford have begun to contact homeless people and make plans to vaccinate them.

This follows moves by some other councils, including Redbridge Council which promises to offer rapid “lateral flow” tests in Ilford and spare vaccination slots at a few centres.

However, despite Redbridge Council stating this would happen from January 14, vaccines for rough sleepers have yet to begin.

Watford Borough Council has been hard at work to support rough sleepers during the pandemic, and between January 15 to January 18 it was reported there were no verified rough sleepers on the streets of Watford.

Now the council hopes to continue supporting rough sleepers by helping them with vaccination plans.

Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: “Over the pandemic, the council’s housing team has done outstanding work in making sure no one needs to sleep rough in the town, finding places for rough sleepers to stay overnight and working with them on longer term solutions.

“The vaccination programme offers us all hope after such a difficult time and, by protecting the most vulnerable, we are also protecting the wider community.

“Having raised this issue with our colleagues in health, I understand local GPs in Watford have started to contact homeless people and to make plans to vaccinate them. This will be done in line with priority groupings as set out by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation”.

A date has not been set as to when vaccinations will begin to roll out to homeless people in Watford.

Meanwhile Hertsmere Council says they have been pushing for current and homeless rough sleepers to be registered with GP practices, for when the time comes that they can be vaccinated.

Councillor Jean Heywood, portfolio holder for Housing, said: “We’ve been actively working with a range of partners to support former rough sleepers, as well as engage directly with individuals still rough sleeping, during the pandemic.

“We’ve also been working to ensure all current and former rough sleepers are registered with GP practices, in line with government guidance.

“If you are aware of anyone rough sleeping, please notify our housing team via the StreetLink website: https://www.streetlink.org.uk/”

Three Rivers District Council were approached for their plans on supporting rough sleepers with vaccinations.