CoWin App: When and how to install the app

The Central government launched the vaccination drive against COVID-19 on January 16.

An app is being developed by the government called ‘COVID-19 Vaccine Intelligence Network’ or the CO-WIN app to monitor this mass inoculation drive.

The CO-WIN app is not available for download as it is still in development. The app has utilities for every user ranging from government officials to the general public.

Government’s initial plan is to vaccinate 30 crore people in four identified target groups.

After these groups are vaccinated, people willing to be vaccinated will have the option for self-registration. For this, citizens will get to download the app and self-register later.

Below are the steps to register yourself for COVID-19 vaccine shot.

Step 1. Install the app
(As the app is in the development stage, so don’t download any counterfeit apps. The government will publicise the general release of the official app)

Step 2. Register with any government-approved photo ID and generate a unique health ID

Step 3. Once the registration is done, the date, venue and time for vaccination will be allotted and shared via SMS

Step 4. Visit the assigned vaccination centre on the allotted date and time. Do not delete the SMS mentioning the details of vaccination

Step 5. The healthcare official will administer the vaccine after verification of the unique health ID

The vaccinated person will be observed for 30 minutes at the vaccination centre for any side effects post-vaccination

Step 6. An SMS will be sent with details of the next vaccination session to the registered phone (There will be two doses of vaccination)

Step 7. After the administration of both the doses of vaccination is done, a QR based certification will be sent to the registered phone number. It can be stored on government’s Digilocker app for future reference.