JAB ‘N’ CAB: New free taxi service offered to Manchester residents to receive COVID jab

A free taxi service is being offered to Manchester residents who want to have the COVID jab, but are finding it hard to get to a vaccination centre.

Dubbed the 'jab ‘n’ cab' service, it will pick people up, while also giving a lift to the city-wide vaccination programme.

The move, which is part of Manchester’s ongoing approach to reducing health inequality, aims to tackle any transport barriers that may stop people from taking up the vaccine.

To book a cab, people in the Manchester region simply need to quote a code to take them to and from two vaccination centres at Belle Vue and Moss Side. The service is running now until 18 July and is being funded through Manchester’s public health work.

Taxis can be booked by calling Streetcars on 0161 228 7878 and quoting ‘MossJabCab’ or ‘BelleJabCab’.

Councillor Joanna Midgley, Executive Member for Adult, Health and Wellbeing at Manchester City Council, said: “There has to be fairness around being able to take up a vaccine offer and that’s at the heart of the work we do with our Covid Health Equity group. I’d urge anyone who needs this service to take up the offer and look after themselves and their loved ones.”

In addition to the taxi shuttle, the city is also offering a minibus service for Manchester's business and community groups to the same vaccination centres, which do not need appointments.

The bus can take up to six people and those using the service will be given priority access and will not have to queue to be vaccinated.

Both transport services are for people who need their first or second dose (as long as the second dose would be more than eight weeks since the first vaccine).