Peer companion - a crucial role in the vaccination of unhoused and at-risk people in the city of Buenos Aires (Argentina): A case study, Butterfly Effect

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated health and socioeconomic disparities and limited access to both social services and health care. According to national public vaccination strategies, the Ministry of Health of the city of Buenos Aires has led the Butterfly Effect Project. The main objective was to implement a population-specific strategy aimed to surmount these challenges by promoting vaccination to unhoused and at-risk people in the city of Buenos Aires (Argentina). This case study presents the main findings of a survey within the Butterfly Effect Project that explored the obstacles and opportunities faced by unhoused and at-risk people in the city of Buenos Aires in terms of access to the health care system during the pandemic. The study also analyzed perceptions of both COVID-19 and the vaccination campaign. This qualitative exploratory study was conducted through semi-structured interviews carried out with unhoused and at-risk people between June and July 2021. Through this project, the city of Buenos Aires vaccinated more than 10,000 people in vulnerable social and housing situations, including unhoused people and people at risk of becoming unhoused. Peer companions, Paradores (public shelters), and homes for unhoused people were considered ‘essential’ during the pandemic.