got geoint?

With all the over-the-top news headlines these days about the swine flu and its vaccination, we are not at all surprised to see that Google launched its “flu shot finder.” It is a website powered by Google Maps, designed to allow people to find locations, in the US, where they can get flu shots for both the regular flu and the dreaded H1N1.

Basically, the tool is just Google Maps with a custom search sidebar. You can enter your location and Google populates the map with little icons indicating places where the shots are available. Unfortunately, we found out that most places the data is rather lacking. Google says it launched the tool early to get people and institutions aware of it. It hopes that this way more info will start pouring in and the data will be more complete and up to date.

Google continues to come up with innovative uses of it maps application. We actually applaud their creativity, and surely Google will continue to come up with key uses for using its maps. And, isn’t that what GEOINT is really all about? Finding news and innovative ways for using imagery and mapping to make the world a better place?

Tags: GEOINT, Google Flu Shot Finder, Google Maps, got geoint?, H1N1, Imagery and Mapping, Swine Flu, USGIF