SAN DIEGO - As San Diego County health officials work to vaccinate homeless people for Hepatitis A, homeless advocates say vaccinations are not enough.
Health workers are starting with those currently in shelters after five cases of Hep A were reported in recent weeks, resulting in at least one death. But many more homeless people are out on streets, where the conditions are dire.
“Last year, about 600 people died unsheltered," homeless advocate Michael McConnell told NBC 7. "So we already have this crisis going on. We don't need anything to make it worse.”
Those taking a deeper look at the issues on the ground say its not a vaccination issues, but rather, a cleanliness issue.
“We do not have enough public restrooms," said Megan Welsh, Ph.D., associate professor at San Diego State University. "These are literally lifesaving facilities. And I hope that this increase in numbers drives some change.”
Research shows there's only one restroom available per 200 homeless people. Professor Welsh along with non-profit groups are advocating for more public restrooms to be made available to homeless people.
County health officials are not calling the current Hep A situation an outbreak since there's no link between the cases.
Photo: Eddie McCoven