Facebook announces new tool for users to locate and book COVID jabs

Facebook has announced a new tool to help users find out "when and where you can get vaccinated" for COVID-19.

Those in the US will be able to book their appointment on the social media site via the Covid Information Center.

Facebook joined forces with Boston Children's Hospital, which runs theVaccineFinder.org website, on the tool.

The feature comes in 71 different languages and is expected to be made available in more places in the future.

In a statement, they said: "First, we're launching a tool that shows you when and where you can get vaccinated, and gives you a link to make an appointment. This will be in the Covid Information Center, which we'll show people right in their News Feed. We've already seen people use Facebook to find vaccination appointments, so this should enable millions more people to do the same."

CEO Mark Zuckerberg has said the social media network wants "to help bring 50 million people a step closer to getting COVID-19 vaccines."

What's more, WhatsApp chatbots are in the works to help get people signed up for their jabs.

Zuckerberg added: "More than three billion messages related to COVID have already been sent by governments, non-profits and international organisations to citizens through official WhatsApp chatbots, so this update will help with the vaccination effort as well."

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