“Cabs for Jabs” initiative extended

Published Friday, 8th April 2022

A free taxi service that aims to make it easier for people to attend walk-in Covid vaccination clinics in Hartlepool has been extended.

The “Cabs for Jabs” initiative will continue to operate for the rest of this month, after initially being set up to run throughout March.

Hartlepool Borough Council is funding the service with money received from the Government’s COVID-19 Outbreak Management Fund (COMF).

Access to transport has been identified as a key barrier to vaccination for some people, and it is hoped the return taxi service will boost attendance at walk-in clinics organised by the Council in partnership with the NHS.

Open to all residents of the town, taxis will pick up people, wait for a maximum of 15 minutes while they get their vaccinations and then return them home.

Taxis can be booked by calling (01429) 523330.

Rimple Poonia from the Council’s Public Health Team said: “This is part of our on-going drive to maximise the take-up of Covid vaccinations by local residents.

“Whilst the service is open to all, we are particularly mindful of the fact that the over 75s are now eligible for a spring booster and some may not have transport readily available to them.”