Story at a glance
- Apple said Tuesday it updated its Apple Maps application to include COVID-19 vaccination sites.
- The tech giant partnered with VaccineFinder, a free service developed by Boston Children’s Hospital that allows users to find vaccine providers, to include more than 20,000 locations.
- Apple will be adding more sites in the coming weeks.
Tech giant Apple is working to make it easier for Americans to find COVID-19 vaccinations.
The company announced in a blog post on Tuesday it updated its Apple Maps application to include locations where users can get a COVID-19 vaccine. Apple says users can simply search for COVID-19 vaccine providers in the application’s search bar or ask Siri, “Where can I get a COVID vaccination?”
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Placecards for each vaccine site will include operating hours, address, phone numbers and a link to the provider’s website where information regarding vaccine eligibility and availability at that site can be found.
Apple partnered with VaccineFinder, a free service developed by Boston Children’s Hospital that allows users to find vaccine providers, to include more than 20,000 locations within its application nationwide. Apple will be adding more sites in the coming weeks.
Health care providers, labs and other businesses are also able to submit information regarding coronavirus testing or vaccinations on the Apple Business Register page. The information will then be validated by Apple and displayed through Apple services such as maps.
“The update is the latest effort from Apple to help users better navigate the pandemic and take the proper steps to protect their health,” Apple said in a post.
The move by Apple comes as vaccination efforts in the U.S. are ramping up and states are beginning to broaden eligibility. Most states are still reserving vaccine appointments for high-risk groups and adults 65 and older, although Alaska last week began offering vaccines to anyone older than 16 and Mississippi on Tuesday became the second state to expand eligibility to all adults.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) also announced Tuesday his state will be expanding eligibility to every resident 16 and older on March 29.
President Biden has directed states to make all adults eligible by May 1, and the U.S. is expected to have enough vaccines for every adult by the end of May.
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