VAP, which recently celebrated its first birthday, focuses on increasing COVID-19 vaccination rates among three groups that encounter significant barriers to health care: people experiencing homelessness, people with substance use disorder, and people who engage in sex work.
In its first year, VAP activated more than 32 ambassadors at 15 health centers in 12 states to provide more than 30,000 COVID-19 vaccines.
“Vaccine ambassadors meet people where they are — physically and emotionally,” said Kimberly Chiaramonte, VAP Senior Project Manager. “We found that engaging ambassadors not only improves vaccine uptake, but it also is a great way to connect people with other important services and care.”
