Engaging an app with a wide reach like Uber to the initiative could help counter the negative impact of the misinformation.
Biotechnology company Moderna Inc (NASDAQ: MRNA) on Tuesday announced a partnership with Uber Technologies Inc (NYSE: UBER) to look at ways they could help support the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination exercise.
Part of the initiative is to provide “accessible, credible information on vaccine safety through Uber’s in-app messaging”. The firms are looking to work with various stakeholders including public health organisations to discuss ways to improve access to the vaccine.
One of the items under discussion is the integration of ride scheduling into the immunisation booking process. Another is a proposed merging of Uber with vaccine providers’ systems to send text message reminders and allow patients to book rides ahead of their inoculation appointments.
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi had this to say:
“Used by millions of people every day, the Uber platform can both help educate the public about vaccine safety and help eliminate transportation barriers to vaccination. Together with Moderna, we hope to do our part to help increase vaccination awareness and adoption, and we look forward to exploring ways we can help ensure everyone, especially in the hardest-hit communities of colour, has access to a vaccine”
Last month, Uber pledged to provide 10 million discounted or free rides to ensure barrier would not hinder access to vaccine.
Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel said:
“As part of our commitment to help address COVID-19, Moderna will be working with a coalition of partners to educate, build trust around and increase awareness of the importance of vaccination in those communities significantly impacted by the pandemic. We look forward to combining our expertise with Uber’s capabilities and platform to support this important effort”
The vaccination process in the US is already facing challenges like reaching hard-hit communities and the rampant misinformation on vaccine safety circulating on social media.
Engaging an app with a wide reach like Uber to the initiative by Moderna could help counter the negative impact of the misinformation. The ride-sharing and delivery service has over 78 million users world-wide.
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