Want to book a Covid-19 vaccine? More tools and tips, as well as help from Apple, Facebook and Google

Can you blame me? As I detailed in a column a few weeks ago, in many states getting an appointment with the vaccine is an experience between Vegas poker and the Hunger Games. The combination of poorly designed websites and few appointments will make you wish you could be standing in a 15 mile long line, on a cold, icy day with no snacks in sight.

The big tech companies are now showing up to help with a small part of the struggle: finding vaccine locations. Earlier this week, Apple AAPL -3.39%

and Facebook FB -1.90%

joined Google GOOG -2.62%

by offering some new tools:

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

• Facebook: Located in the Covid-19 Information Center on your Facebook app, you can now find a vaccine location search tool, also powered by VaccineFinder. On your mobile phone, tap the three lines at the bottom right, select View more, and tap “Covid-19 Information Center.” In a web browser, click View More on the left toolbar and it should appear. Facebook also launched an information center on Instagram, with information on vaccine eligibility among other resources.

• Google: Google Maps has been offering vaccine searches since late January. In the app, search for “Covid Vaccines” and you’ll get a list of the locations that the vaccines offer. In addition to contact information and hours of operation, there is eligibility information. When you search for “Covid vaccine” on Google, you’ll be taken to a vaccine page with a breakdown of the number of doses given in the country, recent news, and other information.

It’s useful, sorta. These tools tell you where to take shots, but they don’t tell you if doses are available or allow you to book appointments, which go faster than a plate of free samples at Costco in the past.

My column and my previous video provided many specific technical tips and tools to help you do this, specifically for booking at pharmacies like CVS,

Rite Aid and Walgreens.

I’m delighted that, since posting, I’ve had news of dozens who have successfully booked appointments using these tricks. For those who have written to say it’s crazy that we need tricks in the first place, I couldn’t agree more.

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

Facebook groups are your best friend. I never thought to say it, but no resource has proven to be more useful than Facebook in this process.

Members of local groups post as soon as they see new quotes and usually answer questions. In some of them, they will post when pharmacies are live with lots of new appointments.

Not all cities or states have any groups, but the countries where vaccines are most difficult to get (Florida, Oregon, New Jersey, Philadelphia) can be very active. For example, moderators in the New Jersey group post screenshots of CVS openings almost daily around 5 to 6 a.m. (i.e., approximately the time when CVS usually drops new openings. See my original article for information on the appointment schedule at major pharmacies).

Within a Facebook group, go to the Discussion tab. Where it’s called “New Activity,” switch to “Recent Posts” to see the first news and move on to appointment availability.

Important security reminder: Go find scammers. Don’t pay anyone to make an appointment and don’t share sensitive information, such as Social Security numbers and passwords. In addition, misinformation about the vaccine is all over Facebook. When looking for information on traits and side effects, consult your trusted medical organizations and news.

Try to find a shot. This site, started by MBA student David Newell, has become one of my basic goals for finding pharmacy locations in a specific zip code. Unlike the tools of Apple, Google, and Facebook, this site also lists availability, or at least tries it. Things can move so fast that sometimes site information can become obsolete.

Still, I keep the site open, which updates itself every four minutes. Then, when I see an appointment available, I automatically launch the pharmacy website (and use these tips from my previous column).

Search for specific vaccines. Some people have asked me to reserve the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine. If you are interested in getting a specific shot, you will need to do more tasks.

A good place to start is VaccineFinder, the Boston Children’s Hospital site used by the big tech companies. When searching by zip code directly through the website, try to look for the type of vaccine that is offered at specific sites.

When it comes to specific pharmacy sites, information about the vaccines offered varies. CVS specifies the type of vaccine available during the online booking process, but only when the slots are opened. (A company spokesman says each location offers only one type of vaccine.)

Rite Aid does not specify the type of vaccine, so I would suggest you call the store to find out what you may have. Other channels I’ve seen give you the option when you sign up. For example, ShopRite’s online booking system allows you to sign up for Johnson & Johnson single-dose or Modern two-dose.

Try a leftover vaccine. Some vaccine locations have unused supplies at the end of the day or have no appointments for appointments. Instead of being wasted, services appear to reach out to people struggling to find dates.

A service, called Dr.B, works with local providers. Register on the website with your phone number and other personal information, and you can be alerted if there are additional doses in your area. However, it’s probably not a way to skip the line. When you complete registration, you will receive a text message that says “We prioritize additional doses according to local government criteria and your online order.” Also, you need to act quickly when you get the text that says a photo is available.

Vaccine Hunter is another group with a similar mission. Work has been done to establish different Facebook groups based in the state, looking for and alerting other people about open dating and over-availability of vaccine. See groups for more local information.

—Portions of this article previously appeared in the weekly newsletter WSJ Tech Weekly. Wait, haven’t you subscribed yet? Click here to do it right now.

Write to Joanna Stern to [email protected]