CoWin’s new API to help access vax status

The health ministry said a new application programming interface (API) has been developed by CoWin, called ‘Know Your Customer’s/Client’s Vaccination Status’ or KYC-VS, as an extra security layer to protect personal data before sharing it with a third-party verifying entity as and when required.

To access the vaccination status of a person, the individual’s registered mobile number and name must be entered by the verifying entity to generate a one-time password or OTP. The two-layer authentication will prompt CoWin to respond on the vaccination status—0 if the person is not vaccinated, 1 if the person is partially vaccinated and 2 if the person is fully vaccinated. This report will be digitally signed and can be shared instantly by the verifying entity.

“CoWin is launching a new API that will make it easy for organizations and institutions to know the vaccination status of their employees, associates and customers. We believe this will help us resume socioeconomic activities faster while ensuring everyone’s safety,” said R.S. Sharma, chairperson, empowered committee for administration of covid-19 vaccines. As proof of vaccination for each individual, CoWin is already issuing a digitally verifiable certificate, which can be saved digitally on a device or on Digi Locker, and shared as and when required.