Access to the COVID-19 Vaccine for Older Adults who are Homebound

TFAH is working to better understand the challenges, explore potential solutions, and identify innovative vaccine distribution mechanisms for older adults and people with disabilities who are homebound. Please read our policy brief  and one-pager on this issue .

TFAH also held a webinar  that explored the challenges and policy barriers to vaccine access and highlight innovative vaccine distribution practices for homebound individuals.

Guide to Innovative Practices

COVID-19 vaccination efforts for those who are homebound continue to be implemented, and there is an ongoing evolution of practices to support them. This guide  is designed to assist entities organizing homebound COVID-19 vaccination programs and details innovative practices in use across the country, including the essential role of non-traditional partnerships.

Huddles

In partnership with The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Cambia Health Foundation, TFAH is held a series of “Huddle” calls on Wednesdays at 4 pm ET and Fridays at 12:30 pm ET. These 30 minutes calls provided just-in-time information on innovative practices, as well as a platform for discussion and brainstorming among participants.

View resources and events

Explore Subtopics

  • Access to COVID-19 Vaccine

  • Ageism

    Ageism is an inaccurate or prejudicial assumption about aging. These negative stereotypes about older adults impact how we interact with them and understand their needs.

  • Caregiving

    Family members and other informal caregivers are the largest sources of support for older adults and should be recognized and encouraged as their caregiving responsibilities.

  • COVID-19

    The COVID-19 pandemic has had differential impacts on population groups. Adults, age 65 and over, have experienced higher rates of hospitalization and death if they became infected.

  • Elder Mistreatment

    As people age, increased social isolation can create the conditions that lead to elder neglect or abuse. But with the right social structures in place, people can remain connected to the community and to society as a whole, reducing the likelihood of elder abuse. Public health can join with other sectors to build stronger communities through innovative research, policy-based and citizen-engaged solutions, and investment in one of our greatest community resources—older adults.

  • Health Equity

    Health Equity is achieved when every person in every community has the opportunity to attain good health.

  • Partnerships & Collaborations

    Public health practitioners are uniquely positioned to connect and convene the multiple sectors and professions that provide the supports, services, and infrastructure to promote healthy aging.

  • Physical & Mental Health

    Physical and mental health are integral factors in overall health and well-being. Both are impacted by socio-economic factors and health behaviors. It is important to consider the intersection of both and how they impact the health of older adults.

  • Public Health Planning & Preparedness

    The needs of older adults can be particularly acute during emergencies. Understanding and anticipating the needs of older adults during an emergency is critical to safeguarding their health.

  • Rural Health

    Rural communities tend to have more older residents than their urban counterparts. In several states, half of the older population live in rural environments. Most older adults wish to age-in-place but often have limited access to resources to support their needs.

  • Social Determinants of Health

    The well-being and health of older adults are impacted by the social, economic, and environmental conditions in which they live, including access to transportation, housing, food, and sources of financial security.