Today Google announced several efforts and steps they are taking to aid COVID-19 vaccine distribution in the US. Google CEO Sunder Pichai made announcement of $150 million in ad grants and also announced that various Google products will soon start displaying local information.
As per the announcement Google Maps and Search will soon display the list of COVID-19 vaccination centers in the USA. This information is very useful for the audience as they can easily locate the nearby vaccination centers on Google search and maps.
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.
As per Google this information will be taken from government agencies, retail pharmacies and other authentic sources.
How Google Maps and Search will display result?
While searching on Google about information users will get the “Covid-19 Vaccine” panel which will display in recently updated Google search mobile design. On this window users will also see some sections which includes Covid Vaccine distribution, news and safety information.
Click on “Where to Get it” and it will show map along with highlighted locations.
As per Google this list will soon go live in upcoming weeks. Google clearly mentioned that this feature will be available on selected regions only including Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. Google is planning to add more states and countries to display Vaccine centers in Search and Maps.
Apart from that Google search will soon display how different states and region will distribute the vaccines. The reason behind this move is the hike in “vaccines near me” search term in 2021.
To provide the right information to users Google and YouTube also planning to launch “Get the Facts” initiative so, users can get authoritative information about the vaccines. Apart from that Google is also donating $100 milion in Ad credit to CDC foundation, WHO and other nonprofit organization.
Other $50 million will be donated to public health agencies “reach underserved communities with vaccine-related content and information.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply affected every community all over the world. It’s also inspired coordination between public and private sectors, and across international borders, on a remarkable scale. We can’t slow down now. Getting vaccines to billions of people won’t be easy, but it’s one of the most important problems we’ll solve in our lifetimes. Google will continue to support in whatever way we can. – Sunder Pichai
