Need a flu shot? Google helps you find it

The online advertising and internet search giant has once again expanded its franchise by introducing flu-shot finder service that lets U.S. residents track down nearby locations where they can get vaccinations against H1N1 and seasonal influenza.

This is the latest feather in the cap of the Mountain View, California-based company whose name is synonymous with searching the Internet.

Google teamed up with the government to make it easier for U.S. residents to find the nearby locations for flu immunizations.

"Especially given slower than expected vaccine production, we think it's important to bring together flu shot information in a coherent manner," Google said on its official blog, according to Informationweek.com.

"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).

“At the moment we have data for locations of flu vaccine 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," it further said.

Flu-shot finder goes online
On Tuesday, the new Google service went live online at www.google.com/flushot, providing users with the locations of clinics that provide seasonal and H1N1 vaccines.

The flu-shot finder feature will soon be available at www.flu.gov, which is run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and websites of the American Lung Association, according to the search company.

How it works
Flu Shot Finder works similarly to any other Google Maps application. After typing in http://www.google.com/flushot a map comes up. Enter your city and state, press the "Go" button, and the application lays out a list of locations on a map showing where to find flu shots in your neighborhood.

A little graphic of color-coded icons shaped like hypodermic needles will tell you which shots are available in the locations. The red-colored icon symbolizes the seasonal flu shots, while blue means H1N1 shots, and both-colored syringes means they have both shots.

By using this service, people not only can find the nearby locations easily, they can even save time by calling flu vaccine providers in advance to make sure that the vaccines are available, and that they're eligible to receive the shots, Google said.