FACT CHECK: Yes, people can get Covid vaccination certificates through WhatsApp

HYDERABAD: A WhatsApp message claiming that citizens can now get their Covid 19 certificates via a WhatsApp helpdesk is viral on social media.

"Get your Covid certificates in 1 minute. Text `certificate' on WhatsApp to number 9013151515. PDF will be sent soon," reads the message

FACT CHECK:

This is true.

NewsMeter contacted the WhatsApp user. The user is identified as "MyGov Corona Helpdesk" and is a verified business account. When the fact check team texted "Covid Certificate" on the helpdesk line, it generated an OTP. After entering the OTP, it listed out the names of members registered and generated the Covid 19 certificate instantly.

The same number is also shared on the official Covid 19 government website as a WhatsApp helpdesk.

Press Information of India also tweeted saying that the viral WhatsApp message is true. Via its official Twitter account, it said that individuals can text 'COVID CERTIFICATE' to the Corona Helpdesk Number (@mygovindia) 9013151515 on WhatsApp and get their Covid Vaccination Certificate by entering the generated OTP.

क्या अब मैसेज भेजकर अपना #कोविड टीकाकरण प्रमाण-पत्र प्राप्त किया जा सकता है⁉️

✅ हाँ, @mygovindia के कोरोना हेल्पडेस्क नंबर 𝟗𝟎𝟏𝟑𝟏𝟓𝟏𝟓𝟏𝟓 के #WhatsApp पर 'कोविड सर्टिफिकेट' लिख कर भेजें और ओटीपी भेजकर अपना कोविड टीकाकरण सर्टिफिकेट आसानी से प्राप्त करें ‼️#PIBFactcheck pic.twitter.com/sFUT3sLsEW

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) December 13, 2021

Clearly, it is true that Covid certificates can be generated via the WhatsApp helpdesk number 9013151515.