David J. Phillip / AP
The town of Vernon, Connecticut, has made a deal with the ride hailing app Uber to bring people to COVID-19 vaccine clinics.
The company believes Vernon is the first town to use Uber for vaccine clinics, according to Hayley Prim, Uber’s policy manager for Connecticut.
Town officials have contacted Uber to provide drivers for home-bound, vaccine-eligible people on days when the town runs vaccination clinics.
Michael Purcaro is Vernon Emergency Services Director. He said the town has set up a call center to reach out to seniors about getting vaccinated and if they need transportation to head to these clinics.
In what is believed to be a first in the country, Vernon officials have made a deal with Uber to bring people to vaccine clinics.
Town officials, using COVID relief funding provided by the state, have contracted with Uber Health, based in New York City, to provide drivers for home-bound vaccine-eligible people on days when the town runs vaccination clinics.
“We know there are people who are housebound and have no family support, and we needed a way to reach them,” Vernon Emergency Services Director Michael Purcaro said. “There are people out there who are truly alone and need help, and we thought this could be a way to get them vaccinated.”