To make finding a vaccination center hassle-free, Apple has launched a new display on its Maps application. The iPhone maker has said that it is now displaying Covid-19 vaccination centers and clinics. Citizens can visit these centers for taking doses of vaccines to guard themselves against the virus. The facility on its Maps app is available to the company’s customers in the United States. Apple added that such centers are also being highlighted on its virtual assistant service Siri only in America. Apple’s contribution is significant as it will give a push to the inoculation drive in the country. Apple Maps and Siri will make people easily locate a center in their vicinity for early vaccination.
The tech giant said that Apple Maps will place cards for each site administering vaccines. The card will show the address, operating hours, and contact numbers. It will also share the website of the vaccine provider to help people learn more about the availability of drugs and book appointments. Apple statement said that the company has started highlighting more than 20,000 sites in the initial rollout of the facility. It will add more sites to the app soon and update the users. On Siri, users can ask the virtual assistant to find a nearby vaccine provider. It will provide all the related information like operating hours, availability of vaccines, and more.
Apple said VaccineFinder, healthcare officials, and laboratories can submit data related to testing or vaccination. It said that the company will welcome such information for which one will have to visit the Apple Business Register page. The onus will be on Apple to validate the data. Once the information is validated, it will begin displaying on the Maps app to the public. This is the latest effort by Apple to help the public to take the right measures to protect themselves from infection. The company had in 2020 updated Maps to show Covid-19 screening locations in at least a dozen countries including the US. Apple Maps already highlights coronavirus modules on the business place cards. The facility is available for over 4,400 sites.
