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How Google uses data to support vaccine access and distribution

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DQINDIA Online
New Update
vaccination

Vaccination has been touted as one of the major ways that the coronavirus can be defeated. The way to returning to a semblance of a normal life would be to get vaccinated. But several people even in developed economies like the US are facing difficulties—be it physical access, not getting an off from work or concerns about side effects.

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For some people a vaccination centre may not be available at a stone’s throw. The problem of inaccessibility has to be addressed. Therefore, Google is relying on data to solve this problem as stated in the blog.

The Covid19 vaccination access data set will calculate travel time to vaccination sites. Also, it will identify areas where one might face difficulty in reaching the site either by walking, driving or by public transportation. The dataset using Google Maps Platform Directions API helps in navigation.

Ariadne Labs designed a dashboard Vaccine Equity Planner. The dataset mentioned above will help power it. Ariadne Labs is a joint center for health-related innovation at Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Boston’s Children’s Hospital.

The dashboard identifies vaccine deserts—with little or no convenient means or access to a vaccine site.

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