In America, Uber asks CDC to prioritise drivers for vaccinations

Uber Technologies on Thursday asked the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to designate its ride-hail and delivery drivers as non-health essential workers entitled to early Covid-19 vaccine distribution.

The company, in a letter to the CDC’s advisory committee on immunisation practices, said its drivers provided critical transportation for essential workers and allowed others to stay home and order food.

“Early access to a vaccine would help drivers and delivery people continue to play their essential role while also reducing the risk that they may inadvertently contract, or possibly transmit, the virus,” said the letter, signed by Uber’s head of federal affairs, Danielle Burr.


The letter comes as several industry groups, including in the food production, agricultural, consumer goods and trucking industry, are asking officials to prioritise their workers for early vaccine distribution.