Book a Covid-19 vaccine? More tools and tips, plus help from Apple, Facebook and Google

Can you blame me? As I explained in a column a few weeks ago, finding a vaccine appointment in many states is somewhere between Vegas poker and the Hunger Games. The combination of poorly designed sites and rare appointments will make you wish you could simply stand 15 miles on a freezing cold day without snacks in sight.

The big tech companies are now helping with a small part of the battle: finding the vaccination rooms. Earlier this week, Apple released AAPL -3.39%

on Facebook FB -1.90%

joined Google GOOG -2.62%

to present new instruments:

• Appeal: In Apple Maps, you can now search for grading sites and see local results. You can even ask Siri, “Where can I get a vaccine against Covid?” But it only asks you to open the Maps app to see the results. Each place has an information card with the store address, hours, phone number and a link to the website. The information comes from VaccineFinder, which is operated by Boston Children’s Hospital, but Apple will also make submissions from other providers for possible inclusion in the database.

• Facebook: Located in the Covid-19 Information Center of your Facebook app, you can now find a vaccine search tool, also powered by VaccineFinder. Tap the three lines at the bottom right of the mobile phone, select See More and tap “Covid-19 Information Center.” In a web browser, click on More in the left sidebar, and it should be listed. Facebook has also launched an information center on Instagram with information on vaccine admission among other resources.

• Google: Google Maps has been offering vaccine searches since the end of January. Search the app for “Covid vaccines” and you will find a list of places that offer the vaccines. In addition to contact information and their working hours, there is information on suitability. If you search for “Covid vaccine” on Google, you will be taken to a vaccination page detailing how many doses have been given in the country, recent news and other information.

It’s useful – so. These tools tell you where shots are given, but they do not tell you if doses are available, or you can book appointments that go faster than a plate of free samples at Costco before.

My previous column and video provided very specific technical tips and tools to help with this, specifically to book at pharmacies like CVS,

Rite Aid and Walgreens.

I am delighted that since its publication I have heard of dozens who have successfully discussed appointments with the tricks. For those who have written to say that it is insane that we need tricks in the first place, I can no longer agree.

I also continued to book appointments for friends and family across the country and learned a few more things. Here they are:

Facebook groups are your best friend. I never thought I would say that, but no resource is more useful in this process than Facebook.

Members of local groups post as soon as they see new appointments and usually answer questions. In a number of them they will place when the pharmacies live with a bunch of new appointments.

Not every city or state has a group, but those where it is more difficult to obtain vaccines – Florida, Oregon, New Jersey, Philadelphia – can be very active. For example, moderators in the New Jersey group post screenshots of CVS openings daily around 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. (this is about the time that CVS usually drops new openings. leading pharmacies.)

Go to the Discussion page within a Facebook group. If it says ‘New activity’, link to ‘Recent messages’ so that you can see the latest and jump on the availability of appointments.

Important safety reminder: be on the lookout for scammers. Pay no one to make an appointment for you, and do not share sensitive information such as social security number and passwords. There is also misinformation about the vaccine around Facebook. If you are looking for information on the shots and side effects, consult trusted news and medical organizations.

Try to find a shot. This website, started by MBA student David Newell, became one of my visitors to search pharmacies in a specific zip code. Unlike the tools of Apple, Google and Facebook, this site also contains a list of availability – or at least try it. Things can move so fast that the information on the site can sometimes become outdated.

Still, I keep the yard open, refreshing on its own every four minutes. If I then see an appointment available, I automatically start the pharmacy website (and use the tips from my previous column).

Search for specific vaccines. I have already asked a few people to book the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine for them. If you are interested in getting a specific chance, you need to do more legwork.

A good place to start is VaccineFinder, the Boston Children’s Hospital website used by large technology companies. If you search directly on the website with the zip code, try searching for the type of vaccine offered at specific locations.

Regarding the specific pharmacy websites, the information on the vaccines offered varies. CVS specifies the type of vaccine available during the online booking process, but only when the slots are open. (A company spokesman says each place offers only one type of vaccination.)

Rite Aid does not specify the type of vaccine, so I would suggest calling the store to find out what it might have. Other chains I have seen give you the option when you sign up. With ShopRite’s online booking system you can, for example, sign up for the single dose of Johnson & Johnson or the two dose of Moderna.

Try for a remaining vaccine. Some vaccine locations have unused supplies at the end of the day or cannot make appointments. Instead of it going to waste, services are popping up to get them to people who are struggling to find appointments.

One service, called Dr.B, works with local vendors. Log in to the site with your phone number and other personal information, and it can notify you if there are extra doses in your area. However, this is probably not a way to go about it. When you have finished your registration, you will receive an SMS that says: “We prefer extra doses based on local criteria and your order in line.” You should also act quickly if you get the text that a recording is available.

Vaccine Hunter is another group with a similar mission. It has worked to set up various state-based Facebook groups, which investigate and warn others about public vaccination and the availability of vaccinations. Check out the groups for more local information.

Portions of this article appeared earlier in the WSJ Tech Weekly newsletter. Wait, you have not signed in yet? Click here to do it now.

Write to Joanna Stern at [email protected]