MASH is Manchester charity which stands with women who sex work and helps them to experience good health, safety and emotional wellbeing. It offers expert support from its drop-in centre, on-foot team and drop-in van which travels around Manchester every week night.
So far, 31 women who otherwise faced barriers to accessing the vaccine have received the first of two doses from the MASH clinic and van thanks to MASH and key partners.
Annie Emery, CEO at MASH said; “Safety is one of our absolute priorities at MASH and we wanted to make it as easy as possible for the women we work with to access the Covid-19 vaccine, which is the best form of protection against the virus.
“We’re delighted that we’ve been able to offer the vaccine from MASH in a way that suits women and to be able to answer any of their concerns or questions beforehand.
“Many of these women have serious underlying health issues are experiencing homelessness and other huge risk factors so we knew it was vital to make this happen. We’ve been over the moon with the uptake.”
Safety is one of our absolute priorities at MASH and we wanted to make it as easy as possible for the women we work with to access the COVID-19 vaccine
Annie Emery CEO at MASH
Fiona* had her vaccine through MASH and said; “Getting my COVID jab was really easy! I got a phone call and 30 minutes later, I’d had it.
“MASH’s nurse answered all my questions so I wasn’t nervous. In fact, I was relieved that I was on my way to getting immunity.
“While I was at MASH I had something to eat and a chat which was nice cos I’m in a homeless hostel and didn’t have food. I even got a food parcel and a colouring book to take home with me.”
Thank you to the MASH team and partners who supported us to make this happen
*name changed
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