Flu Vaccine Locator debuts

A new flu vaccine locator tool debuted last week that may help folks find seasonal and H1N1 (swine flu) vaccines. The Texas Department of State Health Services posted the Flu Vaccine Locator, which is powered and managed by Google. 

State health authorities will provide information for this locator for public clinics that are already listed with 2-1-1 information service, including those organized by regional and local health departments. 2-1-1 will pull information daily from their database about public clinics and pass it to state authorities, who will then upload the information to Google.

Retail pharmacies and private health care providers can also create an account with Google and post their own information about vaccine availability.

Once you go to the cite, simply plug in your city (i.e., Allen, Texas), and the maps will pinpoint a handful of locations closest to you that have seasonal or H1N1 vaccines on hand for the public.

Here’s a brief guide: Blue syringes indicate H1N1 (swine flu) is available; red syringes are for seasonal flu vaccine; a mix, of course, means that both are on hand at last report. The maps also point out prices of the vaccines, what type may be in stock, and you can get directions to each locale.

Call providers in advance to confirm availability and specific vaccination details. Each location has different hours of operation and fees for service.

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