DELIVEROO US MORE JABS
YOUNG people will be offered cinema tickets, taxi rides, and even pizza in return for getting their Covid jabs under plans to boost uptake.
Government sources say around 30 firms are in talks to join a scheme officials hope will tempt more under-30s to get the vaccine.
So far, taxi giants Uber and Bolt as well as fast food service Deliveroo have signed up along with takeaway firm Pizza Pilgrims.
Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi said: “It is great to see the strong enthusiasm among young people so far to get their vaccines.
“But getting both doses is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself and avoid unknowingly passing the virus on.
“Thank you to the businesses backing this mission. Now please get your jabs as soon as you can and grab a bargain.” No age limit has been agreed on the deals yet. But the scheme is designed to raise uptake in 18-30 year olds and a limit is to be set in due course. Under the scheme, Uber will send jab reminders to all its app users from next month. The firm will offer discounts for taxis and meals through its Uber Eats arm.
Its rival Bolt has already offered £250,000 in free ride credits for Londoners wanting to go to vaccination centres. This will be extended nationwide.
A Department of Health source said other partners in the scheme could include cinemas and restaurants, which would also offer discount codes for people booking through the NHS app and attending pop-up vaccine centres.
Officials are assuring any potential applicants for the discount scheme that companies will not ask for any health data. Jamie Heywood, Uber’s regional general manager for Northern and Eastern Europe, said: “As cities open up, we need to ensure all adults are vaccinated. We’re proud to be working with the Government on this important campaign.”
A Deliveroo spokesperson said: “We want to do our small part to support the NHS in the pandemic, including delivering a million free meals to front-line health staff and vaccine centres. This is the next step to get safely back to normal.”
Thom Elliot, Pizza Pilgrims Founder, added: “We are excited to do our bit in the push to get every
adult in the UK vaccinated by making getting your jab as easy as grabbing a pizza. More details to come soon.”
The Government has been encouraged by vaccine uptake among the young but wants more.
Last weekend more than 600,000 people were vaccinated at pop-up vaccine sites across the country.
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid welcomed the scheme.
He added: “I’m delighted more than two thirds of young people in England have already had a first vaccine dose, helping build a wall of defence around our country. Thank you to all the businesses stepping up to support this important vaccine drive. Please 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.”
WILLING
A total of 84.7million doses have been administered in the UK, with 46.8 million people receiving a first dose and 38.1 million fully jabbed. Around 67% of people aged 18-29 in England have already had a first dose.
The latest data from Public Health England and Cambridge University shows vaccines had prevented around 60,000 deaths, 22 million infections and 52,600 hospitalisations up to July 23. YouGov polling shows the UK continues to be one of the top nations when it comes to people willing to have a COVID-19 vaccine or who have already been vaccinated.
Office of National Statistics data last month showed more than 96% of adults reported feeling positive about the vaccine.
Latest ONS data shows 90% of adults under 30 have said they have either received or will get a jab.
Vaccines are free of charge and from thousands of centres, GP practices and pharmacies.
Around 98% of people live within 10 miles of a vaccination centre in
England. Other sites offering jabs include mosques, community centres and football stadiums. Data from Public Health England reveals vaccines are highly effective against hospitalisation from the Delta variant.
The analysis shows the Pfizer-BioNTech jab is 96% effective after two jabs, and the Oxford-AstraZeneca, 92%. The UK’s incentive scheme echoes similar ones by governments around the world.
I n Moscow, authorities have set up a prize draw and have been handing out five cars a week. In the USA, President Biden is urging local governments to offer $100 incentives to help drive up vaccination numbers. In Washington state, retailers are allowed to offer a free marijuana joint to those who get a shot in a ‘joints for jabs’ scheme.
About a third of unvaccinated Americans said they would be more likely to get a vaccine in return for $100, a survey by the University of California found.
Among other unusual offers, those vaccinated in Romania get a free sausage sandwich.
Israel offers free beer, Malaysia free dessert, and the mayor of one town in
the Philippines has put up cow as a vaccine raffle prize. In Sweden you get £17.
Recent research found incentives do help to seal the deal.