The government plans to launch a WhatsApp chatbot to address inquiries in regards to the Covid-19 vaccination, peoples familiar with the issue said. The queries can be sent on the number 9013151515 with the message “say vaccine”, they added. The project is at the pilot stage and is being utilized to respond to as often as possible (FAQ) about the vaccination.
Once the chatbot is completely developed and launched, peoples will have the option to get data about the closest areas where they can get vaccinated, the quantity of doses, and when they should be managed. “The algorithms are done. We are just identifying the maximum number of possible queries before the launch,” an official said.
The Drugs Controller General of India on Sunday announced that it has approved Covaxin, Bharat Biotech International Limited’s locally developed vaccine for Covid-19, and Oxford University-AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured in India by the Serum Institute of India. The vaccination roll out will start with the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.
The Center has faced analysis for rashly rolling out Covaxin without the completion of its phase III trials. According to the chatbot’s FAQ section, the vaccine will be introduced in the nation only after “regulatory bodies clear it based on its safety and efficacy”.
The 13-page report addresses key issues, including who will get the vaccine first, whether those who have recovered from Covid-19 need the vaccine, and how vaccine are chosen for administration. It underlines the vaccination is mandatory. “Once the chatbot is fully functional, it will be linked to the Co-WIN app and be able to provide real-time data,” the official cited above said.
