Online and SMS-based appointment for COVID vaccinations now available

Wednesday, 14 July 2021 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), in close collaboration with The National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO), the Telecom Regulatory Commission (TRC), and mobile operators, has announced an online and SMS-based appointment system for COVID vaccination appointments, available from 12 July 2021 onwards.

Mobile operators Dialog Axiata PLC, Mobitel Lanka Ltd., Hutchison Telecommunications Lanka, and Airtel Lanka Ltd. were key supporters of this initiative.

The vaccination drive was initiated to ensure streamlined delivery of the first dose of the Sinopharm vaccine, targeting those above 30 years of age residing in the Colombo, Gampaha, and Kalutara districts. Eligible citizens can schedule an online appointment at https://vaccine.covid19.gov.lk or via SMS.

To register via SMS, the following commands can be typed (without quotes) and sent to 1906

Step 1: Send ‘districts’ – to receive a list of District Codes where active vaccinations are being carried out

Step 2: Send the code for your district, e.g. ‘COL’ to receive a list of active MOH Area Codes

Step 3: Send the code for your MOH Area, e.g. ‘COL2’ to receive a list of active Vaccination Centre Codes

Step 4: To register for your first dose, please send a message in the below format:

<NIC><SPACE><VACCINATION CENTRE CODE>

To register for your second dose, please send a message in the below format:

(<MM.DD> should be the date you received your first dose).

<NIC><SPACE><MM.DD><SPACE><VACCINATION CENTRE CODE>

Once successfully registered, they will receive a system-generated reference code. One can present themselves at the respective vaccination centre at the given time and submit the reference to the vaccination centre.

Commenting on this initiative, ICTA CTO Hiranya Samarasekara, stated: “We have worked closely with the Telecom Regulatory Commission, and mobile operators to offer this timely initiative. We want to thank these institutions for coming on board to support this initiative and we are hopeful the eligible public will make use of this hassle-free service.”

In addition, the system also facilitates the acquisition of an internationally recognised certificate for those who have received both doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

Elaborating on this, Samarasekara said: “Information obtained from the public at the COVID-19 vaccination centres are referred to an information system maintained by the Ministry of Health. After that, those who have received both doses of the vaccine can download a certificate through this system.

“This will make it easier to find the person’s name, age, National Identity Card (NIC) number, date of vaccination, type of vaccine, and batch number. The uniqueness of this is that the relevant accuracy can be verified from anywhere in the world through the QR Code.”