Google is providing $ 150 million for vaccine education and equitable access and partnering with a healthcare provider to open vaccination clinics.
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“We saw a 5-fold increase in the information people are looking for about COVID vaccines, which is a sign to us that people were ready to get more information,” said Dr. Karen DeSalvo, Google’s director of health.
Dr. DeSalvo says that Google Maps will soon provide access for people to find a vaccination site near them.
“We will be supporting the World Health Organization. In the United States, the CDC foundation and local community organizations, because that is where trust is built on the front lines of the neighborhood,” said Dr. DeSalvo.
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Today, the technology giant has also pledged $ 150 million for vaccine education and equitable access. As part of their overall plan, they are also opening vaccination clinics.
“We are going to give up the space, basically the facilities. A doctor will make the vaccines in partnership with the public health network ”, explains Dr. DeSalvo.
Dr. Andrew Diamond, chief medical officer at One Medical, says he’s been in talks with Google since October to make vaccination sites happen.
One Medical has an annual membership fee of $ 199.
Dr. Diamond says they are receiving vaccine doses from the counties.
Feather Light: “This is like a loophole. If you get the 30-day trial, can you potentially get the COVID -19 vaccine through One Medical?”
Dr. Diamond: “Absolutely. That is the main point. Our goal is to vaccinate people as quickly as possible, and as many people as possible.”
Dr. Diamond says the reason for the association is to remind people about their second dose and provide 24/7 access to virtual treatment.
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Under this partnership with Google, One Medical will offer free trial memberships.
“If you are not yet a medical member, you can get a free 60-day doctor registration. That’s enough time to get vaccinated. The idea is that you can get an appointment, based on our availability of appointment that is in terms of the amount of vaccine we have, “said Dr. Diamond.
Dr. DeSalvo says that they are open to working with other medical providers in the future.
“We have facilities in more than 30 states in the United States and we can make them available as local public health officials think they can be useful,” said Dr. DeSalvo.
For now, Google will start with vaccination clinics in the Bay Area.
As for a timeline for when they will open these sites, “We are preparing and ready to do so in the coming weeks,” said Dr. DeSalvo.
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