The CDC is taking steps to make finding access to COVID-19 vaccines easier for the millions of people nationwide having trouble getting the shot.
VaccineFinder.org, a free online service that helps the public search various sites offering vaccinations, is operated by epidemiologists and software developers at Boston Children’s Hospital.
The site offers help in finding vaccinations for flu, measles and other illnesses, but now lists certain providers and pharmacies where you live that have the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines.
>> Have questions about the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the Carolinas? We have an entire section dedicated to coverage of the outbreak -- CLICK HERE FOR MORE.
“We’re trying to create a trusted site and bring some order to all this chaos and confusion around availability,” said John Brownstein, a Boston Children’s Hospital researcher who runs VaccineFinder.org, told The New York Times.
The website does not allow users to register for appointments, but rather it directs people to other portals where they can try to sign up.
While Boston Children’s Hospital runs the website, it gets help from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Harvard Medical School and Castlight Health, a San Francisco-based health care navigation company.
Those looking for a COVID-19 vaccine can enter their ZIP code at the website, then enter the distance they’re willing to travel and which vaccine they are interested in. The website will then show you the options in the area you have chosen.
Currently, thousands of sites in a select number of states are being monitored and updated. Developers are hoping to increase that number soon.
You can visit the website here.
Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
