Four-digit security code feature added to CoWIN app over error in vaccination status

Dimapur, May 7 (EMN): In an attempt to minimise errors in online appointments and the subsequent inconvenience caused to the citizens in availing Covid-19 vaccination, the Centre is adding a new "four digit security code" feature to the CoWIN digital platform from Saturday, May 8.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare updated on Friday that there were instances where citizens, who had booked appointment for Covid vaccination through the CoWIN portal but didn’t avail it, received notification through SMS that they had been administered the jab.

“Upon examination, it has been found to occur largely on account of the vaccinator wrongly marking the citizen as vaccinated, i.e. an instance of a data entry error by the vaccinator,” it stated.

“Now, after verification if the beneficiary has been found as eligible, before administering the vaccine dose, the verifier/vaccinator will ask beneficiary about his/her 4 digit code and then enter the same in the CoWIN system to correctly record the vaccination status,” it added.

The security code, which will be made available for only those who have done online booking, will be printed in the appointment acknowledgement slip as well as send to the beneficiary via SMS, which can be produced during vaccination to avoid wrong entry and impersonation.

Citizens have been advised to carry a copy (digital or physical) of their appointment slip or produce confirmation SMS from their registered mobile phone to ease vaccination process and furnish the 4-digit security code to the vaccinator while availing the vaccine for confirmation as well as to generate digital certificate.

Informing that citizens should get a confirmation SMS after the process has been successfully completed, the Ministry said those who don’t receive should contact the vaccinator or vaccination centre in-charge.