Wednesday, November 11. 2009

Google Maps Flu Vaccine Provider App

I'm not sure why this is so exciting, but Google created a My Maps app that offers locations and times for accessing seasonal and H1N1 Swine Flu vaccines. ReadWriteWeb is very excited:

The application gives vaccine location hours, when available, and even lets users know when vaccine supplies have run out at a particular location.

Data sources?

Project managers Roni Zeiger, M.D., and Jennifer Haroon wrote on the official Google blog, "Especially given slower than expected vaccine production, we think it's important to bring together flu shot information in a coherent manner. We've been working with HHS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local health agencies to gather information on flu vaccine locations across the country, particularly for the H1N1 flu vaccine (both the nasal-spray vaccine and the shot)."

Now, Google has gathered information about locations of flu vaccine shots from 20 states in the U.S. Google is also collecting information from chain pharmacies and other vaccine providers in all 50 states. Currently, users can find vaccine shots available from retail chains such as Walgreen's, CVS, Kmart, and WinnDixie.

In my local search each Walgreens came up twice. Also, there is no information on the source of the data. I'd err on the side of sourcing and visit my state's public health website.

- ReadWriteWeb