Tech & Biz

Google's Flu Shot Finder Locates Clinics With H1N1 Flu Vaccine

by Yuliya Talmazan | November 11, 2009 at 02:48 pm

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On Tuesday, Google launched its Flu Shot Finder feature, which lets users locate clinics that offer H1N1 or seasonal flu vaccine. The service is currently available in 20 U.S. states, but is expected to expand in the future. Although Google’s Flu Shot Finder provides locations where H1N1 vaccine shot is accessible, it does warn that flu shot supply changes regularly, and it is advisable to call ahead to confirm availability. Earlier, Google launched its Flu Trends feature, which follows flu activity in real time.

After expanding Google Flu Trends to a total of 20 countries and 38 languages, allowing more people to see near real-time estimates of flu activity, we began brainstorming with the U.S. Department for Health and Human Services (HHS), their flu.gov collaborators and the American Lung Association on the flu shot finder and other ways Google can be helpful to people this flu season.

You can check out the flu shot finder at www.google.com/flushot. The same tool will also be available shortly on www.flu.gov and the American Lung Association websites. 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.