{"id":12851,"date":"2021-04-06T15:56:14","date_gmt":"2021-04-06T20:56:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gnof.org\/?p=12851"},"modified":"2021-04-06T15:56:14","modified_gmt":"2021-04-06T20:56:14","slug":"ochsner-announces-partnership-with-uber-and-greater-new-orleans-foundation-to-provide-rides-to-vaccine-sites","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.communify.me\/gnof\/ochsner-announces-partnership-with-uber-and-greater-new-orleans-foundation-to-provide-rides-to-vaccine-sites\/","title":{"rendered":"Ochsner Announces Partnership With Uber and Greater New Orleans Foundation to Provide Rides to Vaccine Sites"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ochsner, The Greater New Orleans Foundation and local officials are pleased to formally announce a partnership with Uber to provide transportation to and from vaccination sites in the greater New Orleans region. The partnership kicked off on Monday, March 29, just in time for Ochsner\u2019s Inaugural Vaccine Fest, in which approximately 5,000 community members were vaccinated and entertained for 24-hours straight.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Uber and the Greater New Orleans Foundation are working together to provide 20,000 rides to local vaccination sites to community members with transportation issues. This is one of many efforts underway to eliminate barriers, especially in underserved communities, to provide COVID-19 vaccinations and healthcare services. Today, Ochsner Health provided 500 community members with vaccines at the New Philippians M.B.C. in the Lower Ninth Ward neighborhood of New Orleans.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In a press conference today, Dr. Victoria Smith, Associate Medical Director at Ochsner Health, shared, \u201cWe recognize that vaccine availability is far from the only hurdle that community members may face. From getting time off work to finding transportation to not having access to a clinic or hospital in your neighborhood \u2013 these are all challenges that could delay or even prevent people from getting vaccinated. Uber, in partnership with Greater New Orleans Foundation, has stepped up in a big way to help with our efforts by committing to offer 20,000 free rides to and from vaccinations sites in the greater New Orleans area.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are proud to expand our partnership with the Greater New Orleans Foundation to support Ochsner’s efforts to significantly boost access to COVID-19 vaccines in the Greater New Orleans region by providing transportation to and from vaccine appointments,\u201d said Trevor Theunissen, Director of Public Affairs at Uber. \u201cThroughout this pandemic we\u2019ve maintained operations to provide essential services to New Orleanians and have taken multiple steps to help ensure that safety is at the heart of everything we\u2019ve done. This is just the latest effort in our ongoing commitment to provide communities we serve with support they need during this unprecedented time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGetting everyone vaccinated is the way we\u2019re going to bring this pandemic to an end,\u201d said Andy Kopplin, President and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Foundation. \u00a0\u201cWe are thrilled to expand our partnership with Uber to support the vaccination efforts being led by Ochsner Health.\u201d<\/p>\n

How it works<\/span><\/h3>\n

If you need transportation assistance, please let the operator know when scheduling your appointment at 844-888-2772.<\/p>\n

Anyone 16 years and older is eligible to receive their COVID-19 vaccination in Louisiana. You can make an appointment at an Ochsner vaccination site two ways:<\/b><\/p>\n