Now, use CoWin API to know others’ vax status

Now, use CoWin API to know others’ vax status

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:11.09.2021

To facilitate faster reopening of economic activities while also ensuring safety of people during the pandemic, CoWin has launched a new software interface (API) that will make it easier for organisations to know the vaccination status of their employees and customers.

On this API, “Know Your Customer’s/Client’s Vaccination Status”, or KYC-VS, one just needs to enter the individual’s mobile number and name. Thereafter, the individual will get a one-time password (OTP) which he/she will have to enter. CoWin will send a response to the verifying entity on the individual’s status of vaccination. The response will indicate whether the person is not vaccinated (denoted by ‘0’), partially vaccinated (denoted by ‘1’) or fully vaccinated (denoted by ‘2’).

The new feature is consent-based and privacy-preserving, the health ministry said on Friday.

CoWin is already issuing a digitally verifiable certificate as a proof of vaccination. This certificate can be saved on a digital device like smartphone, tablet, laptop or stored in Digi-Locker from where it can be digitally shared as and when required.

However, there may be instances where an entity does not need to see the certificate in full and would just need to know whether an individual has been vaccinated. For instance, employers may want to know the vaccination status of their employees to resume work from offices. Similarly, hotels may want to know the vaccination status of their customers. The API may also be used for railway reservation and flight bookings.

“There is a need for an Aadhaa rlike authentication service for the status of vaccination through CoWin. To take care of these cases and others that may come up, CoWin has developed a new API called ‘Know Your Customer’s/Client’s Vaccination Status’ or KYC-VS,” the ministry said.

Nearly 73 crore vaccine doses have been administered so far. This response through KYC-VS will be digitally signed and can be shared instantly with the verifying entity.