Iona Senior Services Partners with Uber to Give Older Adults Free Vaccine Rides in DC Area

IONA SENIOR SERVICES PARTNERS WITH UBER TO GIVE OLDER ADULTS FREE VACCINE RIDES IN DC AREA

Uber is donating 200 free rides to connect 100 older adults in the Washington metropolitan area to vaccine sites. The program will run through December 31, 2021.

Washington, DC – Today, Iona Senior Services, the premier nonprofit organization serving older adults and their families across the District of Columbia, has partnered with Uber to provide 200 free rides to Covid-19 vaccine appointments for up to 100 older adults to ensure vaccine equity.

“Our partnership with Uber allows us to serve older adults and their caregivers with transportation access and options to support their health,” said Joon Bang, CEO of Iona. The COVID-19 has amplified transportation insecurity in the lives of our older adults and we’re taking this step with Uber to address it together.

“Transportation is often a critical barrier that prevents vulnerable communities from accessing the health care they need. Uber is working hard in Baltimore and in the Washington, DC region to be part of the solution and ensure all people have access to the transportation they need to protect themselves and their families from this virus,” said Michele Blackwell, Public Affairs Manager for Uber.

In Washington, DC, only 78% of residents aged 65-74 and 68% of residents 75 and older have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Furthermore, according to the most recent American Community Survey data, 14.5% of people aged 65 and older in Washington, DC live below the federal poverty level, making this program an important opportunity for older adults in the District and surrounding areas to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.

Older adults and family caregivers can receive promo codes for the program by calling Iona’s free Helpline Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm at 202-895-9448 (TTY 202-895-9444) or by emailing [email protected]. Offers expire December 31, 2021. This announcement is part of Uber’s commitment to donate 10 million free rides to vaccine appointments nationally.

For a comprehensive list of ways Uber has helped Move What Matters in the DMV since the outset of the pandemic, check out our blog www.uber.com/blog/moving-what-matters-in-the-dmv/.

ABOUT IONA

Iona Senior Services is a nonprofit in the District of Columbia that helps more than 3,500 older adults and their families each year as they experience the challenges and opportunities of aging. Iona educates, advocates and provides community-based services to help people age well and live well. For more information, visit www.iona.org.

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