Ride-hailing firms Uber and Bolt join scheme rewarding customers who get a COVID-19 vaccine
Food and private-hire app businesses have joined a scheme to get as many people as possible vaccinated against COVID-19.
Uber, Bolt, Deliveroo and Pizza Pilgrims are among the names who will be offering discounts and incentives to customers who get a COVID-19 vaccine and help protect the country from the virus.
Uber will be sending reminders to all users in August, encouraging them to get the vaccine, and will be offering discounted Uber rides and meals on Uber Eats for young adults who get the jab. This follows Uber campaigns offering free trips to vaccination centres earlier this year and for NHS staff during the height of the pandemic.
Bolt will be offering free ride credit to vaccination centres. A similar scheme by Bolt included offering £250,000 in free ride credit to London vaccination facilities earlier this year.
Other incentives being discussed could include vouchers or discount codes for people attending pop up vaccine sites and booking through the NHS, social media competitions and promotional offers for restaurants.
The Government is set to release further details on these partnerships in due course.
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “I’m delighted that more than two thirds of young people in England have already had a first dose of a vaccine, helping to build a wall of defence around our country.
“Thank you to all the businesses who are stepping up to support this important vaccine drive. Once available, please go out and take advantage of the discounts.”
“The lifesaving vaccines not only protect you, your loved ones and your community, but they are helping to bring us back together by allowing you to get back to doing the things you’ve missed.”
Companies will not ask for, or hold, any health data for the incentive scheme.
Jamie Heywood, Uber’s Regional General Manager for Northern and Eastern Europe, said: “As cities open up, we all need to proceed with caution and ensure that all adults are vaccinated against COVID-19.
“We’re proud to be working with the government on this important campaign to encourage everyone to get their jab.”
Sam Raciti, Bolt’s Regional Manager for Western Europe, said: “Bolt is delighted to support this campaign. Get a Bolt, grab a jab, get living.”
The Government is working closely with the NHS to make it as easy as possible to get a vaccine, including through ‘grab a jab’ pop-up vaccine sites across the country.
Over 600,000 people were vaccinated last weekend at these walk-in clinics, from London’s Tate Modern Gallery to a Primark in Bristol. Further sites have been made available this week - including at Thorpe Park in Surrey and Circus Extreme in Yorkshire.
The Government and NHS are also working together to provide information and advice on how to get a vaccine and its benefits, including through a range of partnerships with industries catering for predominantly younger audiences.
