Google To Show Vaccination Locations In Search And Maps

Tech giant Google today announced new efforts to help Coronavirus vaccine distribution in the United States including $150 million in ad grants and new features for Google Search and Maps that will display vaccination locations in the U.S. 

‘‘We recognize that getting vaccines to people is a complex problem to solve, and we’re committed to doing our part.’’ said Sundar Pichai, Google and Alphabet CEO. ‘’Today we’re announcing that we’re providing more than $150 million to promote vaccine education and equitable distribution and making it easier to find locally relevant information, including when and where to get the vaccine. We’ll also be opening up Google spaces to serve as vaccination sites as needed.’’ 

He announced that Google will provide more than $100 million in ad grants for the World Health Organization, the CDC Foundations and also for nonprofit organizations around the world. Furthermore, the tech giant will invest an additional $50 million and partner with public health agencies in order to reach and help underserved communities.

In addition, Google Search and Google Maps will begin showing COVID19 vaccination locations across the United States which will first start in Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas and will later expand to other states. 

‘’We’ll include details like whether an appointment or referral is required, if access is limited to specific groups, or if it has a drive-through.‘’

To gather vaccination information, Google has partnered with VaccineFinder.org as well as government agencies and retail pharmacies. 

The company is also planning to launch a “Get The Facts” initiative which will be available across Google and YouTube ‘’to get authoritative information out to the public about vaccines.’’

In addition, CEO Pichai announced that Google will open its open spaces, parking lots and buildings for vaccination clinics. In partnership with One Medical and public health authorities, the company will soon start opening its facilities in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area in California; Kirkland, Washington; and New York City.