WhatsApp on Tuesday announced that MyGov Corona Helpdesk on its platform will now allow users to locate their nearest vaccination centre and book their vaccine appointments. Booking appointments will be now easier with this initiative.
MyGov and WhatsApp on August 5 had introduced the ability for users to download vaccine certificates from the chatbot, and over 32 lakh certificates have been downloaded by users across the country so far.
“The MyGov Corona Helpdesk on WhatsApp, since its launch in March 2020, has emerged as one of the most authentic sources of COVID-related information during the pandemic and served as a critical instrument in fighting the public-health crisis for over 41 million users across India,” it added.
Abhishek Singh the CEO of MyGov said that this initiative of launching the MyGov Corona Helpdesk has been a path-breaking technological solution that helped millions of citizens across the country in the vaccination drive.
“Since its launch, MyGov Corona Helpdesk, enabled with support from Haptik and Turn.io, has evolved into a go-to platform that is not only helping citizens with authentic Corona-related information but is now also aiding them in the process of vaccine booking as also finding vaccination centres and slots and downloading vaccination certificates,” he added.
He further added, it is allowing digital presence in the true sense as most people find the AI-based interface enabled on WhatsApp easier to navigate.
“Our collaboration has unlocked technology’s potential to extend benefits to citizens at scale. Judging by the large numbers of people who have placed their trust in the MyGov Corona Helpdesk chatbot and availed themselves of the benefits, this is an important step in our journey to become a digitally empowered country. “As a platform, we are fully committed to supporting our Government’s efforts to help fight this pandemic,” said WhatsApp Public Policy Director Shivnath Thukral.
The association of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, citizen engagement platform MyGovIndia and WhatsApp will help the eligible individuals to get an appointment for a dose of the vaccine via phone.
Taking to Twitter, Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya wrote on Tuesday, “Paving a new era of citizen convenience. Now, book COVID-19 vaccine slots easily on your phone within minutes.”
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
📱Follow the stepsBook today: https://t.co/HHgtl990bb
— Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) August 24, 2021
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.
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
— Will Cathcart (@wcathcart) August 24, 2021
Besides booking slots, vaccinated individuals can now also download their vaccine certificates through the same mechanism, Cathcart said, adding over three million Indians have already availed of the service.
To book slots on WhatsApp, one has followed these below-mentioned steps:
- Save the MyGov Corona Helpdesk number (9013151515) as a contact
- Send ‘Book Slot’ request to this number on WhatsApp
- Enter the 6-digit OTP one will receive via SMS
- While in the chat, one has to choose their preferred date and location, pin code, and vaccine type.
- Get confirmation and visit the vaccination centre on the day of their appointment
So far vaccine slots were being booked through 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.