Google Is The Latest Company To Turn Its Facilities Into Covid-19 Vaccination Sites - Forbes

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Topline

Google will make some of its facilities — buildings, parking lots, and open spaces — available as Covid-19 vaccination clinics, the company announced on Monday, joining companies like Disney, Amazon and Starbucks who are working closely with local and state governments to help speed up the mass inoculation process.

Key Facts

In an official announcement, made by company CEO Sundar Pichai, Google unveiled plans to open vaccination sites in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Kirkland, Washington, and New York City first, and expand into other parts of the country as more vaccines become available.

The company has also pledged $150 million to promote education and help with the equitable distribution of the vaccines.

As part of the plan, the CDC Foundation, the World Health Organization, and other unspecified nonprofits will receive $100 million in ad grants, allowing them to access online advertising slots worth that amount.

Additionally, Google plans to invest $50 million in partnerships with public health agencies to inform underserved communities about the vaccine.

The search giant will also expand the vaccine information panels in its search results to include information about local and state distribution processes and eligibility criteria for people.

Surprising Fact

Google says there has been a five-fold increase in the search phrase “vaccines near me” since the start of this year. In the next few weeks, Google will start showing vaccination locations in search results and Google Maps in Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, while more states will be added later.

Key Background

Google’s move marks the latest corporate initiative to set up vaccination facilities nationwide. Earlier this month, officials from California’s Orange County announced that the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim will become a vaccination center capable of delivering thousands of shots in a day. Disney has reportedly also been in touch with Florida officials to use the Disney World theme park for a similar purpose. On Sunday, Amazon set up a pop-up vaccination site at its Seattle headquarters with plans to help vaccinate at least 2,000 people. The e-commerce giant purportedly made a pitch to the Biden administration on the use of its delivery expertise to help deliver coronavirus vaccines across the country. Washington Governor Jay Inslee has unveiled partnerships with various companies including Starbucks, Microsoft and Costco to help deliver the vaccines across the state. State governments have also moved to turn sports stadiums into major vaccine delivery locations including Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium, Citi Field in New York, State Farm Stadium in suburban Phoenix, Minute Maid Park in Houston and Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.