To use this new tool, you can just type, “COVID-19 vaccine” in your browser and go to the “Where to get it” tab on your phone or desktop. You can perform this search on Google’s home page, search app, or the Maps app. The list also shows if you require an appointment at the center and if vaccines are available for only certain ages. Some centers in India are still open to only essential workers and people aged above 45. Once you find a center, you’ll need to book a slot on the CoWin site. India has seen more than 300,000 daily COVID-19 cases over the last two weeks and people have been frantically looking for hospital beds and oxygen cylinders through social media requests. To cater to these demands, Google is testing a new Q&A feature in Maps that lets you request or share info related to oxygen supplies and hospital bed availability. Google is also spreading factual information about COVID-19 and vaccines through their “Get the facts” campaign. Apart from Google, Facebook and WhatsApp have also launched tools to locate centers to get your jab.
