US: Uber App to Enable Users Book COVID-19 Vaccines

U.S. customers will be allowed to book COVID-19 vaccine appointments and reserve rental cars, Uber Technologies Inc said on Wednesday.

Customers would be able to reserve an appointment at a Walgreens pharmacy in order to receive the vaccine and book an Uber ride to travel there, the firm said in a product presentation.

This new feature, which expands an Uber and Walgreens partnership announced in February, reflects the wider availability of COVID-19 inoculations in the United States, where every state has opened up vaccines to all adults.

For Uber, more vaccinations mean a quicker return to pre-pandemic travel and higher revenues, which tumbled during the pandemic.

Moreover, the company also announced partnerships with Avis Budget Group Inc, Hertz and other vehicle rental agencies.

U.S. customers can book rental cars through the Uber app, offering up to 10% of the rental cost as a credit to the user to spend on other Uber services.

In May, users in Washington DC will have their rental car delivered to and collected from their home, after paying a fee to Uber, which will rollout the service nationwide this year.

Also, Uber said it would expand an option to reserve rides in advance to more U.S. and European cities, allowing customers to book and collect food delivery orders during a ride-hail trip.

A week ago, U.S. President Joe Biden said that the United States will have administered 200 million COVID-19 shots by the end of the day.

“We did it. We hit 200 million shots on the 92nd day in office,” Biden stated in remarks from the White House. “It’s an incredible achievement for the nation.”