App Developed By IIT-Bombay Sends Alerts For Covid-19 Vaccination Slots

Working towards ensuring convenience whilst booking a covid-19 vaccination slot, a group of researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay (IIT-B), have risen to the occasion to curate an app that enables users to set alerts for slot availability in the vicinity.

The mobile app for android phones, CoVaccinator is made by researchers from Industrial Engineering and Operations Research (IEOR), IIT-B that have accessibility to data from the Co-Win portal’s servers. On downloading, using the registered mobile number, users can log in a similar way to that on the Co-Win portal and reserve slots.

What makes it different from Co-Win is the choice to set an alert for available slots at centres near the vicinity. Manjesh Hanawal, Associate Professor, IEOR, the leader of the team, according to the report by Hindustan Times. elaborated on how he believes that as the drive progressed, the rush has reduced. However, people still face issues when seeking accessible slots and till they manage to get their hands on one, it is booked. To ensure this doesn’t transpire, the alert option has been made.

Users can search for vaccination centres through pin codes, district and the name of the centre. Based on this, they can then set alerts for their choice of centres.

Hanawal highlighted how the app receives timely updates from the Co-Win portal’s servers. Once a slot is available at the centre you want, an alert is sent. On clicking on the update, one can log in to the app and book the slot. This system helps save time that was earlier wasted seeking slots, centres and making an appointment, he said.

At present, due to security reasons, no web or mobile-based portals enables auto-booking of slots. Hanawal added that the app is made to assist those looking for vaccination slots by giving alerts when spots are available.

From downloading certificates to adding beneficiaries one can do it all. They are investigating how more features can be added to auto book slots when available. Hanawal also said that the app was made through the approved Application Programming Interface (API) from the Co-Win platform.

Further, into the account, he stated that the app in the near future will provide information on drive-in vaccinations and other facilities done by the authorities.  

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