Airbnb sent a letter to Biden’s government on Friday offering to help distribute the coronavirus vaccine, especially in rural communities.
The vacation rental company offered to identify homes that could be used as sites for the distribution of vaccines in communities with limited access to health care facilities as the rollout efforts continue nationwide.
“These Airbnb ‘vaccine depots’ could be available in locations where there are limited or no healthcare facilities or pharmacies, so-called ‘healthcare deserts’,” Christopher Lehane, Airbnb senior vice president for global policy and communications wrote in the letter.
In addition, the company offered domestic workers to distribute vaccines if they needed assistance with housing.
The letter did not mention whether Airbnb’s “vaccine depots” or the homes used to house workers who distribute the vaccine would be offered for free or at a discount.
A White House spokesperson was not immediately available for comment in response to Airbnb’s letter.
The offering follows Airbnb’s efforts launched last year as part of the Frontline Stays program to enable hosts to open their homes to primary care health workers responding to the coronavirus pandemic. The program allows caregivers to stay for free or at a discount on Airbnb places closer to work and away from family members in their own homes.
President Biden on Thursday revealed his government’s strategy to address the coronavirus pandemic. The plan aims to vaccinate 100 million Americans within its first 100 days in office.
Amazon sent a letter to Biden earlier this week, on his first day of work, also offering to help the new government distribute the coronavirus vaccine. The e-commerce giant offered to help by leveraging Amazon’s business, information technology, and communications capabilities
Amazon again urged the government to prioritize the company’s vital warehouse and data center employees in the rollout of vaccines.