Google Maps recently updated its features to help users to find the COVID-19 vaccination centre closest to them. Initially started in the US, the feature has now been made extended to users in over 40 countries. India and Singapore are the newest additions to this list.
The feature was launched by Google as a part of their global initiative, intending to lend its resources to the cause of efficient COVID-19 vaccination delivery and to raise COVID-19 awareness, especially in wake of the recent surge in cases throughout the country.
Through this new feature, Google will be highlighting over 8600 vaccination centres across 1,500 plus cities in 28 states and 8 Union territories as demarcated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
India reported over 1.3 lakh fresh cases in the past 24 hours, making it pivotal to enforce tighter social-distancing regulations and implementing austere COVID-19 prevention measures, to curb the further spread of this second wave of infections.
In the light of the exigencies of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of India had announced the commencement of a vaccination drive for all eligible citizens above the 45+ age category. India has already administered 90 million doses of COVID-19 vaccinations to date.
Google Maps, has now expanded its information panel to help users find accurate and timely information on local vaccination sites. This search feature is now available in over 40 countries and dozens of languages.
On entering keywords in the search panel, Google Maps will also be showing regional and state distribution information. These added features introduced by Google Maps will also be targeted towards helping the Government of India reduce the wastage of unused ‘Covinshield’ or ‘Covaxin’ vaccinations.
Google’s latest initiative will also be helping the healthcare service providers across the country to properly administer the doses by avoiding any possible confusion regarding the duration between the 2 COVID-19 vaccination doses. Two weeks back the Central Government had requested the duration to be increased from 28 days to 6 to 8 weeks.
Sundar Pichai, the Chief Executive Officer of Google and Alphabet, had earlier shared this update regarding the new features that’ll be available on Google Maps, in a company blog. The local vaccination site related information was introduced by Google Maps, following a considerable increase in vaccination location related searches on Google.
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