Booking slots for vaccination against the Covid-19 will become easier now as the government partnered with Facebook-owned messaging application WhatsApp for the same. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that COVID-19 vaccine slots can now be booked via WhatsApp.”Paving a new era of citizen convenience. Now, book #COVID19 vaccine slots easily on your phone within minutes. Send ‘Book Slot’ to MyGovIndia Corona Helpdesk on WhatsApp, Verify OTP and follow the steps…Book today: wa.me/919013151515,” Mandaviya tweeted.
The chief executive officer (CEO) of WhatsApp Inc also put out a similar message. “Today we’re partnering with @MoHFW_INDIA and @mygovindia to enable people to make their vaccine appointments via WhatsApp. Spread the word,” Cathcart tweeted.
Besides booking slots, vaccinated individuals can also download their vaccine certificates through the same mechanism, Cathcart said, adding over three million Indians have already availed of the service.
How to book Covid vaccination slots through WhatsApp
1) Add MyGov Corona Helpdesk 9013151515 as a contact
2)Send ‘Book Slot’ to this number on WhatsApp
3)Enter the 6-digit OTP you get via SMS
4)In the WhatsApp chat, choose your preferred date and location, basis pin code and vaccine type.
5)Get confirmation and visit the vaccination centre on the day of your appointment
On August 5, MyGov and WhatsApp had introduced the ability for users to download vaccine certificates from the chatbot; and so far, over 32 lakh certificates have been downloaded by users across the country.
Vaccine slots were so far being booked via the government-owned Co-WIN Portal or Arogya Setu/Umang Mobile Application and the Paytm App. Alternatively, one can get registered for a shot on-site at the vaccination centre.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, India has, so far, inoculated about 58.89 crore beneficiaries against the deadly virus.
50 jobs at risk of being replaced by ChatGPT
Just show your face and board the flight
New Maruti Baleno 2022: Features, specifications and more