Airbnb sent a letter to the Biden administration on Friday offering help in distributing the coronavirus vaccine, especially to rural communities.
The vacation rental company offered to identify homes that could be used as vaccine distribution sites in communities with limited access to medical centers, as deployment efforts continue across the country.
“These“ Airbnb vaccine depots ”could be available in places where there are or are no or no limited health facilities or pharmacies, the so-called“ health care deserts, ”the vice president wrote in the letter Airbnb senior for global policies and communications.
In addition, the company offered accommodation to workers traveling to distribute vaccines if they needed help with housing.
The letter did not specify whether Airbnb “vaccine depots” would be offered or houses that housed workers who distributed the vaccine for free or at a discount.
A White House spokesman was not immediately available for comment in response to the Airbnb letter.
The offer follows Airbnb’s efforts launched last year as part of its Frontline Stays program to allow hosts to open their homes to front-line health workers responding to the coronavirus pandemic. The program allows healthcare workers to stay on Airbnb sites closer to their work and distance themselves from family members at home for free or at a discount.
President Biden unveiled his administration’s strategy to deal with the coronavirus pandemic on Thursday. The plan aims to vaccinate 100 million Americans during their first 100 days in office.
Amazon earlier this week sent a letter to Biden, his first day in office, also offering to help the new administration with the distribution of the coronavirus vaccine. The e-commerce giant offered help by leveraging Amazon’s operations, information technology and communication capabilities
Amazon also again urged the government to prioritize the company’s essential workers in all warehouse and data center facilities in vaccine deployment.