On April 28, Uber Technologies and Walgreens unveiled a new feature that allows consumers to book vaccination appointments at a Walgreens location and also schedule their Uber ride to the vaccination appointment all with a few taps through the Uber app.
“Now that we have a vaccine approved, our next priority has to be focused on getting as many people vaccinated as quickly and efficiently as possible. Access to care has long been one of the most pernicious of the social determinants of health and this pandemic has only exacerbated that problem. This is why we are so elated to be joining forces with Uber to work together to create equitable access to the vaccine for so many of our hardest hit communities. The path out of this pandemic runs in parallel with the path towards health equity, and we’re glad to have Uber as a partner along the way.” — Daniel E. Dawes, Executive Director, Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine.
Vaccination Through Uber Program Announcement
With all adults in the United States eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, Uber and Walgreens remain focused on helping ensure that transportation is never a barrier to receiving a vaccination. The new Uber app feature is the result of months of collaboration between the two companies. This new feature and many other new additions to Uber and UberEats were unveiled today in a global announcement from Uber.
Beginning today, Uber users will see a new “Vaccine” option in their Uber app and can choose to schedule an appointment at Walgreens. After adding a zip code and selecting from the available appointment times, users will have the option to reserve a ride to the appointment by scheduling a pickup time and location. Before the appointment, a push notification will remind users of their upcoming ride to their vaccination appointment.
“GO get vaccinated with Uber and Walgreens: According to experts, the best thing you can do to stay healthy and help end the pandemic is get vaccinated. We know that by making it easier to get to and from their appointments, more people will get vaccinated. So we’re partnering with Walgreens to make getting that shot as easy as booking a ride with Uber. Starting today nationwide, with just the tap of a button, you can reserve a vaccine as well as your ride there, all through your Uber app,” – The Uber said.
Vaccine Access Fund
Working with PayPal, Uber and Walgreens also recently created the Vaccine Access Fund. The three companies have initially contributed $11 million dollars and have encouraged customers to donate too. People can support the Vaccine Access Fund by donating to PayPal Giving Fund, which is a registered 501 charities, including through the Uber app. The fund will be granted to and managed by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), a national nonprofit community development organization, to help ensure transportation is never a barrier to getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
“We’re committed to helping ensure that transportation is not a barrier to getting vaccinated. We know that by making it easier to get to an appointment, more people will get vaccinated,” said Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. “By partnering with Walgreens, our goal is to make getting that shot as easy as booking a ride with Uber.”
“As COVID-19 vaccine inventories expand, so has our shared commitment with Uber to providing innovations that help accelerate access to the vaccine for communities across America,” said John Standley, president, Walgreens.
This new Uber app feature is available to all Uber users in the United States. Appointments are subject to availability. Additionally, Walgreens and Uber maintain their focus on driving equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for underserved areas. The two companies recently held vaccination clinics in Atlanta, El Paso, Chicago, Houston and Milwaukee and are planning more clinics targeting other communities hardest hit by the pandemic. Uber facilitated free transportation to those clinics and has committed 10 million free or discounted rides to COVID-19 vaccination appointments for underserved populations around the world.
Be the first to comment on "Ride For Vaccination Through Uber App"