Although it spent millions to fight legislation to prevent Uber drivers becoming official employees, the company says they should be treated as essential workers.
Uber has made a request to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to consider drivers as essential in order to get priority for Covid-19 vaccinations.
It deems them essential as drivers play a role in transporting front-line health professionals to work and helps keep people at home by offering home delivery food services.
"Early access to a vaccine would help drivers and delivery people continue to play their essential role while also reducing the risk that they may inadvertently contract, or possibly transmit, the virus," the formal request letter said.
The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is drawing up a list of priority work groups for early access to Covid vaccinations.
Several industry bodies and firms have made requests including delivery services, the trucking industry, and food producers.
So far, the CDC has confirmed healthcare workers and residents of long-term care facilities will be first in line.
Written by Ray Montgomery, US Editor
