Around 3 million UK residents under 30 have yet to get their first coronavirus vaccine and to convince them, the government has introduced a new scheme that offers discounted taxis and takeaways for vaccinated residents from some of the UK’s largest providers.
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Discounted taxis and takeaways for vaccinated Brits
So far, car-hailing companies Uber and Bolt, as well as takeaway providers Deliveroo and Pizza Pilgrims, have agreed to participate with Gavin Smith, director at Pizza Pilgrims, telling Sky News:
It really is, for us, just the right thing to do.
The London chain has revealed they are looking to turn two of their stores into pop-up vaccination sites with a free slice of pizza for those who receive a COVID jab. Smith told Sky News of his hopeful plans to ‘encourage as many of our young employees, as much as the general population, to get their jab’, detailing that 70% of his staff under 26 are yet to be vaccinated.
In August, Uber will also be sending out notifications to its customers, reminding and encouraging them to get their coronavirus vaccines. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) also revealed that Uber would be offering discounted rides for vaccinated youth as well as cheaper meals through Uber Eats.
Deliveroo, a takeaway delivery service, will also be offering vouchers to vaccinated youth.
Taxi app Bolt will also be offering free credit to vaccine centres, similar to another scheme earlier this year where they provided £250,000 of free rides to London vaccine facilities.
The DHSC has said that more details will be released ‘in due course.’ But, other incentives could also offer vouchers or discount codes through people who attend pop-up vaccine centres or book their COVID jabs through the NHS.
It is not currently certain just how these apps will verify a customer’s vaccination status, but the DHSC has assured that the companies ‘will not ask for or hold any health data for the incentive scheme.’
Vaccine pop-ups and festivals open over the weekend
As of the 30th of July, 46,811,298 people in the UK have had their first COVID jab, with 38,126,702 fully inoculated. This means 88.5% of UK adults have at least had their first jab, but this number drops to just 67% amongst those aged 18-29.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid has thanked businesses for ‘stepping up’ by being part of the scheme and urges British youth to ‘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.
Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi also praised the enthusiasm of the younger generations to get their jabs, telling them to make sure they go for their vaccines as soon as possible and ‘grab a bargain.’
New vaccine initiatives have also been recently announced after a range of pop-up vaccine centres opened across the country over the weekend. Areas include:
- Circus Extreme in Halifax, West Yorkshire
- Burnley FC’s Turf Moor ground
- Goodwood Racecourse near Chichester
- The Summer of Love Festival in west London’s Holland Park
A four-day vaccine festival is also currently running in Poplar until Monday with live music and free food. Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and deputy lead for NHS England's vaccination programme, said:
From festivals to farm shops, circus tents and stadiums, NHS teams are working hard to set up vaccine clinics at a huge range of popular locations, all with the aim of getting as many people vaccinated as possible. So roll up that sleeve and grab your jab at one of the many walk-in sites open this weekend - it remains the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones.
