Press Release:

National Council of Urban Indian Health Partnered with Uber to Provide Transportation to Vaccine Clinic for urban Indians in the D.C. Metropolitan Area 

Uber is donating 2,000 FREE/discounted rides to connect the American Indian and Alaska Native Communities to the COVID-19 Vaccine in DC metropolitan region and Baltimore. 

Washington, D.C. (May 13, 2021) – Today, the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) announced a new partnership with Uber to provide rides to Native American LifeLines Baltimore for urban American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) living in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) metropolitan area to receive their COVID-19 vaccination. Through this partnership, Uber provides 2,000 free or deeply discounted rides to members of the AI/AN community in the DMV to ensure vaccine equity.   

“Since last fall, NCUIH and Native American LifeLines have pushed for the inclusion of the 65,000 Natives in the DMV as Natives are dying from COVID-19 at the highest rates worldwide,” said NCUIH CEO Francys Crevier (Algonquin). “Lack of transportation should not hinder our relatives from having access to vaccinations. This partnership with Uber will ensure safe and convenient transportation to and from appointments as we continue this fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.”   

“We understand the necessity of high-quality health care and are proud to partner with the National Council of Urban Indian Health to help them make access to the COVID-19 vaccine seamless for the community they serve,” said Michele Blackwell, Public Affairs Manager for Uber. “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.”  

Promo codes will be distributed to individuals in the DMV from NCUIH and Native American LifeLines and will be redeemable until September 30, 2021. Offers will ensure each participant can get to and from each vaccination appointment at little to no cost to them. 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/. Visit www.ncuih.org/vaccine for more information on the vaccination clinic and our Be a Good Relative Campaign encouraging urban AI/AN to get vaccinated. 

MORE: NCUIH’s Be A Good Relative Toolkit

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The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) is the national non-profit organization devoted to the support and development of quality, accessible, and culturally-competent health and public health services for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) living in urban areas. NCUIH is the only national representative of the 41 Title V Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) under the Indian Health Service (IHS) in the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA). NCUIH strives to improve the health of the over 70% of the AI/AN population that lives in urban areas, supported by quality, accessible health care centers.