Google Launches H1N1 Swine Flu Shot Finder

Google unveiled a brand new feature this week, a flu shot locator, that allows people to search for local clinics offering the H1N1 Swine flu or seasonal flu. The Department of Health and Human Services collaborated with Google to create the flu shot finder. Although the H1N1 swine flu and season flu shot locator project is just beginning, it may help some people locate a clinic more easily.

In addition to the Google flu Shot locator, the same tool also will be available soon on www.flu.gov and the American Lung Association's Web sites.

According to Google: “It’s important to note that this project is just beginning and we have not yet received information about flu shot clinics for many locations. In addition, many locations that are shown are currently out of stock. We launched this service now in order to help disseminate information about locations where vaccines are available, and also to make more vaccine providers aware of the project so that they can contribute.”

Right now, Google has data for locations of H1N1 swine flu or season flu vaccines directly from 20 states and counting.

“We are also continuing to add information from chain pharmacies and other providers in all 50 states; today, you’ll find results from chains such as Walgreens, CVS, and PDX participants such as Kmart, Duane Reade, WinnDixie and Giant Eagle.”

When you enter your zip code, a series of color-coded syringes crop up on the map—pink indicating seasonal flu vaccinations, blue for H1N1 swine flu, and a mixture to show both are available.

For now, the information will be sparse with many locations showing no availability of flu vaccines at all. This will change with time as more locations are added and more H1N1 and seasonal flu shots become available.

Entering in a local zip code in Rhode Island provided a map with two season flu shot clinics (both in a CVS Pharmacy) and five H1N1 Swine Flu shot clinics (all in Walgreens)available. All were within two miles of the zip code.

However, a search in a much larger area in New York City, came up with thirteen vaccine locations in a much broader area (8 of which were locations for the seasonal flu vaccine.)

The concept of the Google shot locator is a very helpful one. Although there are many locations that do not have the vaccines at this time, this will give people a good indication as to where they can get an H1N1 or season flu vaccine when they become available.

Try out the new Google Flu Shot Locator here.

More H1N1 Flu articles:

11 Children given double dose of H1N1 Vaccine

Asthma/H1N1 Deadly Combination

Cheryl Phillips
HULIQ.com