You Can Now Book Vaccination Slots On WhatsApp: How It Works

You can now book Covid vaccine appointments on WhatsApp! This is not a drill. Starting today, the government of India has partnered with Facebook-owned WhatsApp to make the Covid vaccine booking process easier for Indians to access without using CoWin or Aarogya Setu apps.

AFP

Covid vaccine booking on WhatsApp

WhatsApp has made the vaccine booking process even simpler than before. Now, a Covid vaccination slot can be booked simply by sending a "Book Slot" text to the Government of India's COVID-19 helpdesk on WhatsApp.

After the message is sent, a verifiable OTP will enable next steps in the WhatsApp chatbot.

Find the CoWin method overwhelming? Worry not, the process just became extremely simpler courtesy of WhatsApp. The chatbot was developed by MyGov, a citizen engagement platform of the Government of India in partnership with Facebook and Haptik.

Now book vaccination slot by simply sending ¡®Book Slot¡¯ to @MyGovIndia Corona
Helpdesk on @WhatsApp, verify OTP & follow the steps https://t.co/ROZbIsA1ou
Grateful to WhatsApp & @haptik for their continued support to build this chatbot @PMOIndia @mansukhmandviya @AshwiniVaishnaw

¡ª abhishek singh (@abhish18) August 23, 2021

How to book a vaccination slot on WhatsApp

• Add MyGov Corona Helpdesk (9013151515) as your phone contact
• Open WhatsApp on your phone and send "Book Slot" text message to the MyGov Corona Helpdesk number
• A six-digit OTP will be sent to your mobile via SMS which you will need to verify on WhatsApp
• The chatbot on WhatsApp will then show you available dates and location for vaccination. This, of course will depend on vaccine availability and the type of vaccine.
• Once you find a comfortable slot, book it and get confirmation instantly.
• After that, you simply have to visit the vaccination centre on the day of your appointment.

That's not all, you may also download your vaccination certificate using the chatbot if you've already been inoculated against COVID-19.

Today we¡¯re partnering with @MoHFW_INDIA and @mygovindia to enable people to make their vaccine appointments via WhatsApp. Spread the word: https://t.co/2oB1XJbUXD https://t.co/yvF6vzPHI1

¡ª Will Cathcart (@wcathcart) August 24, 2021

Prefer the old CoWin way?

Simply go to https://www.cowin.gov.in/ and sign in with your mobile number, or register in case you've not received the first dose.

ALSO READ: How People Over Age 18 Can Register For COVID-19 Vaccination In India

Then, browse available vaccines based on pin code and dose type.

You can simply click on "book slot" and get confirmation on your registered phone number, after which you'll be simply required to show up and get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Why is vaccination against COVID-19 important?

The virus is mutating quickly. If a new version of the virus can bypass current vaccines, then even the vaccinated ones would be at risk.

ALSO READ: MapMyIndia App Shows Covid-19 Vaccination Centres Near Your Home

Therefore, it's important for us to get vaccinated with whichever vaccine is available to reach herd immunity, after which the growth of variants may be stopped.

Get vaccinated, it saves not only you but also the vulnerable ones around you!