COVID-19 vaccine: How to locate nearest vaccination center via WhatsApp

Amid the surge in COVID-19 cases across the country, the only hope for survival is to get vaccinated. Meanwhile, the government has requested its citizens to take the vaccine shots as early as possible. WhatsApp head Will Cathcart recently took to social media and tweeted in support of India. He quote tweeted a post from the official MyGovIndia account and informed that the messaging app has joined hands with health workers to operate helplines in the form of chatbots.

I am thinking of our friends in India going through such a difficult time with COVID and grateful for all the work people are doing to help one another. We're working with health partners to support helplines on WA like this one from @mygovindia https://t.co/pqE0VGHQbK https://t.co/uhmyEN5U7f

— Will Cathcart (@wcathcart) May 1, 2021

The ‘MyGov Corona Helpdesk’ chatbot on the app will now help users to find a vaccination center. The chatbot was unveiled earlier this year and has now been updated to help the citizens in finding the closest vaccination center.

(Also read: How to find the nearest COVID-19 vaccination centre using Google Maps)

Users can follow these steps to search for vaccination centers using MyGov Corona Helpdesk chatbot on WhatsApp:

Step 1: First save the number +919013151515

Step 2: Following that, start sending messages by writing "Namaste (Hello)" and wait for some time

Step 3: Within seconds, the user will get an automated response

Step 4: The app will ask users to send their PIN code

Step 5: After the user enters the six-digit code, the chatbot will send out a list of nearest vaccination centers

There is also an alternate way, where a user can visit wa.me/919013151515 that will take you directly to the chatbot.

The registration process for the third phase of vaccination has begun from 1 May. Everyone above 18 years of age must register themselves on CoWin portal or Aarogya Setu app to get vaccinated.