Google Launches Flu Shot Finder

For most people (Sorry, Bing) Google is where they go when they want to find out about just about anything. Now it's also the place you can go to find flu shots.

Google, working with the Department of Health and Human Services, has create a flu shot finder by leveraging its own Google maps. Type in an address, and the map will tell you where you can find a location that has H1N1 and / or seasonal flu shots.

When you enter your zip code, a series of color-coded syringes pop up on the map, with pink indicating seasonal flu vaccinations, blue for H1N1 swine flu, and a mixture of both colors if both are available. There is also a list in a sidebar on the left side of the map.

Still in its early stages of development, the flu shot locator currently only has data for about 20 U.S. states. However, developers are working to update the map with information for the entire country.

In a sense, it is "beta," due to the lack of data, typical of many Google services. Seriously, however, this Google flu shot locator will become much more accurate and valuable as time goes on. Right now, however, if I type in my own address, I see only major pharmacies and they are all out of stock.