Uber Technologies, PayPal, and Walgreens said on Monday they had launched an $ 11 million fund to provide free travel to the U.S. COVID-19 vaccination sites for people who do not have access to transportation.
The Vaccine Access Fund will be administered by the US nonprofit Local Initiatives Support Corporation, which will identify communities in need of free rides, as well as local partners to help with the program, the companies added.
In a joint letter to US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the companies said their cooperation came in response to government calls for companies to get involved in responding to the pandemic.
Consumers can also support the effort by donating to the fund through PayPal or the Uber app, they said, adding that they are also looking forward to receiving other corporate donors.
The companies said that this fund aims to facilitate access to the vaccine for everyone who has the problem.
Moreover, the fund is separate from Uber’s promise to provide 10 million free or discounted travel to vaccination sites around the world, an effort that is both public-minded and self-serving as it is trying to bring in more drivers and passengers back to the road.
Lack of transportation is a major obstacle to health equity and access to the vaccine, and studies show fewer health care options in black, low-income communities that are often poorly served by public transport and have car ownership fees lower.
