Apple Adds COVID Vaccine Locations

Apple Inc. started highlighting places that offer coronavirus vaccinations in its Maps app and Siri.

The giant Apple announced it had updated its Apple Maps. It will now show where users can get a COVID-19 vaccine anywhere in the United States. People can find nearby vaccination locations from the search bar in Apple Maps. They can choose “COVID-19 Vaccines” in the “Find Nearby” menu. Furthermore, they can ask Siri, “Where can I get a COVID vaccination?”

Each vaccine site posted in Apple Maps will include information like operating hours, phone numbers, the site’s address, a link to the provider’s website, and a way for Apple users to book an appointment. Notably, the initial rollout includes over 20,000 locations, with Apple adding more sites in the following weeks.

The company reported it uses data from VaccineFinder. Significantly, VaccineFinder is a free, online service that provides vaccine availability data. Boston Children’s Hospital provides this program. It works with clinics, pharmacies, and health departments to provide accurate information about vaccination services.

The Vaccines Have Been Extensively Tested and Are Safe

That will also enable health care providers, labs, or other companies to submit information on coronavirus testing or vaccination locations on the Apple Business Register page. Once they verify the details, Apple said it would display information about the testing of vaccination location to people using Apple Maps.

Health officials have been asking Americans to get vaccinated when it’s their turn. According to Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s leading infectious-disease scientist and the public face of the nation’s fight against coronavirus, the vaccines have been extensively tested and are safe.

Moreover, he has estimated that between 70% and 85% of the U.S. population needs to get inoculated to stop the country’s scourge.

U.S. President Joe Biden last week stated his plan to make all adults vaccine-eligible by May 1.