Grab launches program to drive Covid-19 vaccinations in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asian internet giant Grab today launched a program aimed at increasing vaccine access for its employees and the drivers, passengers, and delivery partners on its platform by the end of 2022.

Photo credit: Grab

The Southeast Asian super app also plans on working closely with governments across the region to offer mobility, communications, and logistics support for national vaccine deployment plans through the fleet of vehicles on its platform. It will subsidize the cost of Covid-19 vaccines for drivers and delivery partners not covered by free national vaccination programs as well.

According to Grab, it aims to extend its medical leave insurance policy – provided by insurance provider Chubb – to cover its driver-partners’ potential loss of income because of Covid-19 vaccine side effects.

“The rollout of Covid-19 vaccines is moving Southeast Asia into recovery mode. We believe this will allow people and businesses to operate with more confidence in their own safety, driving renewed economic and community activity,” said Russell Cohen, group managing director of operations at Grab.

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All grab employees, along with their immediate family, will be covered by Grab for a free vaccine, according to the firm. The company also said it will combat misinformation and boost public confidence in the vaccine by providing timely information to the public.