Uber is partnering with Walgreens to offer free rides to COVID-19 vaccine appointments at the chain's drugstores.
The goal of the program is to increase equitable access to the vaccine, according to a press release from Deerfield-based Walgreens. The free transportation will be aimed at underserved communities.
“Transportation should never be a barrier to health care,” Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said in the release. “We look forward to building on this exciting new partnership with Walgreens, harnessing the power of the Uber platform to help connect more people with vaccines, as we all work together to help end this pandemic.”
Chicago will be one of the first cities where the program will be piloted, along with Atlanta, Houston and El Paso, according to the press release.
After Walgreens vaccine appointments are confirmed, patients will get an email offering to schedule a ride. Uber has said it would provide 10 million free or discounted rides to vaccination appointments in the U.S.
Uber and Walgreens plan to roll out other initiatives to help address vaccine hesitancy and lower barriers to vaccine access among communities of color, according to the release. The Chicago Urban League will also partner with both companies on an educational program.
The news comes amid a slower-than-expected vaccine rollout in Illinois and Chicago. City and state officials are also striving to ensure the rollout is equitable, and vaccine doses are reaching the most vulnerable communities.
Representatives from Walgreens and Uber could not immediately be reached for comment.
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