White House to announce deal for free vaccination rides from Uber, Lyft

President Biden on Tuesday is set to announce a partnership with ride-sharing companies Lyft and Uber to provide free rides for Americans to get vaccinated.

The partnership is part of a host of actions to achieve the administration’s goal of having 70 percent of adult Americans receive at least one coronavirus vaccine dose by the Fourth of July. The announcement comes as Biden is meeting with governors to discuss vaccine strategy and innovative ways to get more people vaccinated against COVID-19. 

Lyft and Uber will provide rides to and from tens of thousands of vaccination sites through their apps, which will allow customers to select a vaccination site near them, follow directions to redeem their ride and get a free ride to and from the site. 

The feature is expected to launch “in the next two weeks,” according to the White House, and will run until July 4. 

Biden will also announce on Tuesday partnerships between federal retail pharmacies and some community colleges to provide on-site clinics for students, staff and others in the community. Additionally, he will announce that more funding is “immediately available” to states and local governments for community outreach to encourage people to get the vaccines. 

“State, local and community leaders can use FEMA assistance to fund the cost of in-person, phone, and online community engagement — including personnel and other costs,” according to a press release. 

Biden’s virtual meeting with governors at 1 p.m. will include Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R), Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D), Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R), Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) and New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D).