Finding the Swine Flu Shot: Google Helps You Beat H1N1!

Earlier this year I wrote about how you could use Google Maps to track the swine flu spread across the world. Now that we have an H1N1 vaccine, and also a vaccine shortage, Google can help you locate the places where you can get your flu vaccination. Unfortunately, this information is as of yet only available for people living in the United States, but who knows how fast Google might add more information for vaccination centers across the globe.

This new service is called the Google Flu Shot finder, and also uses Google Maps, and although it can give you information of flu vaccine clinics, it cannot yet say for sure whether or not the vaccines are still available at the clinics listed. Basically, Google does not know if a clinic runs out of the vaccines or not. It also does not have all vaccination locations listed yet, and is still compiling all the data for this. The new service is still in its beginning stages, but kudos to Google for already launching it, even though the information available is not yet complete. Surely, having whatever information is already there will help millions of people who are looking for the swine flu vaccine in their area.

How Google Flu Shot Finder can help you

If you are looking to get vaccinated for the swine flu, and you do not know where to go, then Google Flu Shot finder is a great place to get started with your search. Simply type in an area close to which you want to search. For example, I typed in “Denver” in the search box (randomly chosen).

After clicking “Go”, the following map popped up with locations in the central core of Denver:

The little syringe-shaped icons on the map denote the locations you can get a flu shot. On the left side of the map, there is a list with the addresses of the locations, phone numbers, and information on whether or not the location is out of stock. Because Google may not be able to get all information on flu shot availability in real time, it is worth calling your local flu shot location to make sure whether or not they truly are out of stock.

In Denver, it looks like the flu shot is out of stock in the locations listed in the map. However, if you are planning a trip to New York City, your chances are actually alot better:

The red syringes represent locations that deliver the regular flu shot, the blue ones show locations giving out the H1N1 flu shot. A syringe with both colors offers both.

Will you be getting the flu shot? I wish the flu shot locator was available for Canada, I would definitely use it!