The Union Health Ministry on Sunday announced that vaccinated citizens can obtain their Covid vaccination certificates in 3 easy steps via WhatsApp.
This move from the ministry comes at a crucial time when most states and establishments are mandating the showcase of proof of vaccination for inter-state travel and availing of different services. The option to avail certificates through WhatsApp has provided citizens with an easy alternative compared to the COWIN portal that has suffered service glitches most of the time.
Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya's office released a statement saying that the certificate can be downloaded by sending a message on WhatsApp to the provided number.
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"Revolutionising common man's life using technology! Now get #COVID19 vaccination certificate through MyGov Corona Helpdesk in 3 easy steps. Save contact number: +91 9013151515. Type & send 'covid certificate' on WhatsApp. Enter OTP. Get your certificate in seconds," the Health Minister's office tweeted.
Even though the announcement was well-received, the process led to dismay for many people as they got incorrect results. For some, the certificate mentioned the same date for both doses and the others informed them that they were not vaccinated even after receiving both doses.
The announcement also found praise from the opposition. Senior Congress leader and MP Sashi Tharoor called the process "fast and simple".
"I've always acknowledged & praised the Government when it merits it. As a critic of #Cowin, let me say they've done something terrific. Send a @WhatsApp message "download certificate" to 90131 51515, receive OTP & get your vaccination certificate back by @WhatsApp. Simple&fast!," he said in a Twitter post.
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Health Minister Mansukh on Friday met with the CEO of Serum Institute of India Adar Poonawalla in Delhi to discuss the ramp-up of Covidshield supply in the country.
“We had many good meetings here. We discussed ramping up vaccine production. More than 17 countries in Europe have already approved Covidshield and many are in line to approve. We also discussed this. This will be good news for all the travellers also. We were doing what we can do for our students,” Adar Poonawalla told ANI after the meeting with Mansukh Mandaviya.