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COVID Vaccine Certificate Download: A Step-by-step Guide

Team AckoDec 27, 2024

Millions of Indians have already received their COVID-19 vaccination, and the drive still continues. After you receive any of the doses, you are given the applicable COVID-19 vaccination certificate. This certificate is proof of vaccination and can come in handy in several scenarios, for example, while travelling abroad. In this article, we have discussed different ways to download the COVID-19 Vaccine Certificate after vaccination.

COVID-19

Contents

What is a COVID-19 Vaccine Certificate?
Documents Required For COVID-19 Vaccine Registration
Importance And Benefits Of Having Corona Vaccine Certificate
How To Download COVID-19 Vaccine Certificate Through Mobile
How To Download A Corona Certificate Through The Aarogya Setu App
How To Download Covid Certificate Through The Umang App
How To Download A Corona Certificate Through The Digilocker App
How To Download Vaccine Certificates Through The Cowin Portal
Covid19 Vaccination Guidelines For Children In India
What To Do If You Lose Your Vaccination Certificate
How to Correct Errors on Your COVID-19 Vaccine Certificate
Why You Might Not Be Able To Download The Certificate?
Downloading Vaccination Certificates for Dependents
How to Verify The Authenticity of Your Certificate
Conclusion
Frequently asked questions

What is a COVID-19 Vaccine Certificate?

A COVID-19 Vaccine Certificate is an official document issued by the Indian government as proof that an individual has been vaccinated against COVID-19. This certificate is provided through the CoWIN (COVID Vaccine Intelligence Network) portal and serves as your vaccination record.

There are different types of certificates, depending on your vaccination journey:

First Dose Certificate: This is given after your first dose of the vaccine.
Second Dose Certificate: Issued after your second dose (for vaccines that require two shots).
Booster Dose Certificate: Once you’ve had your precautionary (booster) dose.
Consolidated Certificate: This one brings everything together—showing all doses you’ve received (first, second, and booster) in one certificate for those who’ve completed the full vaccination schedule.

Your certificate will include important details like your name, date of birth, the vaccine you received, and the doses you've had. Plus, there’s a QR code for easy verification.

Documents Required For COVID-19 Vaccine Registration

Any IDs (with a photo) may be shown while registering for the COVID-19 vaccine registration.

Aadhaar card
Driving licence
Smart card for health insurance issued through the Ministry of Labor program
Individuals with comorbidities must carry the certificate of comorbidities issued by a licensed medical professional.
MPs, MLAs, or MLCs can show their identity cards
PAN card
Pension document
Passport
Service identity cards issued to employees by the central, state government, public limited companies
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) Job Card
Bank or Post Office passbooks
Voter ID

Also, Read: Documents required for passport

Importance And Benefits Of Having Corona Vaccine Certificate

Getting the COVID-19 vaccination certificate is necessary for the following reasons.

The certificate provides information about vaccination status.
To maintain track of everyone who has received vaccinations across India.
Travelling from one country to another might require a COVID-19 vaccine certificate. Downloading the certificate and keeping it handy will make your travel hassle-free.
If you have a proper vaccination certificate, you may be allowed to avoid further testing, quarantines, and so on.
Another thing to consider while Traveling to other Countries with a proper vaccination certificate is that it helps in Travel medical insurance to secure your trip without any unexpected problems.

How To Download COVID-19 Vaccine Certificate Through Mobile

You can download the vaccination certificate through the following mobile applications.

Digilocker app
CoWIN portal
Umang app
Aarogya Setu app

You can download the certificates from these apps regardless of the number of dosages you've received. You can also download and print the COVID vaccine certificate if required.

Here are the steps to download the COVID-19 vaccine certificate from your mobile.

Step 1: Type in the mobile number you registered in any of the mobile applications mentioned above.
Step 2: An OTP will be sent to you.
Step 3: Once you enter the OTP, the portal will display your immunisation status and a "Download" button through which you can receive the certificate.

A copy of the temporary CoWIN certificate can be downloaded to your device once you click the Download button.

How To Download A Corona Certificate Through The Aarogya Setu App

Those who have received their COVID-19 immunisation shots can download their certificates via the Aarogya Setu app and the CoWIN portal.

You can follow these steps to download the Corona certificate through the Aarogya Setu app.

Launch the Aarogya Setu app on your phone.
Use your cellphone number to sign in.
At the top, select the CoWIN tab.
After selecting the Vaccination Certificate option, enter your beneficiary reference ID, which is 13 digits long.
To obtain a copy of your immunisation certificate, click the download button.

How To Download Covid Certificate Through The Umang App

The Umang app is a consolidated app that provides access to numerous government services, such as Passport Seva, Aadhaar and provident fund inquiries, gas cylinder booking, and income tax filing. The following steps will help you download the certificate from Umang App.

Step 1: Install the UMANG app on your mobile phone and navigate to the "What's New" section.
Step 2: Click on the CoWIN tab and then on ‘Download Vaccination Certificate’.
Step 3: Enter your phone number to get the OTP, then confirm other credentials.
Step 4: Download the vaccination certificate.

How To Download A Corona Certificate Through The Digilocker App

The DigiLocker online service is an initiative by the Ministry of Electronics & IT for the Digital India programme. It offers a secured online space to store your official documents like driving licence, insurance policies, COVID vaccine certificates, etc.

Step 1: Visit ww.digilocker.gov.in.
Step 2: Log in to the portal using your 12-digit Aadhaar number and 6-digit security pin.
Step 3: Search for “COVID Vaccine Certificate” and click on "Download".

How To Download Vaccine Certificates Through The Cowin Portal

If you are travelling to another country, you must provide a vaccination certificate. This certificate is available for download online. You can get it on the CoWIN portal if you have been vaccinated. On the CoWIN portal, you can download the vaccination certificate in PDF format.

Step 1: Download the CoWIN app on your phone or open it directly in the browser.
Step 2: Click on "Download Certificate" and enter your registered number to receive an OTP.
Step 3: Click on "Certificate".

Your COVID-19 vaccination certificate will be downloaded in PDF format. Print physical copies of this file as required.

Covid19 Vaccination Guidelines For Children In India

The COVID-19 vaccination drive began in January 2022 for children aged 15 to 18 and then 12 to 14 in the fifth phase. This phase commenced in January and March 2022, respectively. The drive is being carried out under the following guidelines.

Only CoWIN will be used to reserve the "CorBEvax" vaccination appointments for the 12—to 14-year-old age group.
The vaccinator must ensure that the vaccine is only given to children who are 12 years old on the date of vaccination.
If a child is registered, but under the age of 12, the vaccination will not be administered.

The Centre has encouraged states to organise specialised COVID19 vaccination sessions via designated centres and to train vaccinators to avoid mixing vaccines meant for adult recipients.

Also Explore: International Travel Health Insurance

What To Do If You Lose Your Vaccination Certificate

Losing your vaccination certificate is a hassle, especially if it is required for some official purpose, but retrieving it is easy:

1. Open the CoWIN Portal and login. Utilise the cellphone number that was recorded at the time of immunisation.

2. Download Again: Navigate to your account's "Download Certificate" section. Choose the relevant dose and download the certificate.

3. Alternative Recovery Options Aarogya Setu App: it is also a government portal that is completely reliable. Just Log in and download the certificate. DigiLocker: If linked earlier, you can retrieve the certificate from your DigiLocker account.

4. Contact Support For unresolved issues, contact the CoWIN helpline at 1075 or email [email protected].

How to Correct Errors on Your COVID-19 Vaccine Certificate

Below are the steps to correct the mistakes on your vaccine certificate:

1. Login on CoWIN. Put in the number you used while registering for the vaccination.

2. Report an Issue: Click the "Report an Issue" tab. Select "Correction in Certificate"

3. Specify Corrections Input corrected information that must tally with the original documents. Attach supporting evidence, such as an Aadhaar card or passport, if needed.

4. Submit Request Once submitted, changes will appear in a few days. After a few days, you may access and download the coWin certificate. Follow these steps to get the coWin download certificate.

Why You Might Not Be Able To Download The Certificate?

If you cannot download your vaccine certificate, there may be several reasons to consider:

1. Incorrect Mobile Number: Make sure the cellphone number you registered with for the vaccine is being used.

2. Pending Updates Sometimes, there is a lag in updating vaccination records. Wait for some hours or contact the centre to verify.

3. Technical Snags: Try again or change the browser after some time. Try using other platforms like Aarogya Setu or DigiLocker.

4. Mismatched Details Incorrect registered names or IDs can also hinder access. Rectify this by using the CoWIN portal.

Downloading Vaccination Certificates for Dependents

Parents or guardians can quickly download certificates for dependents, including children, using the following steps:

1. Log in to the CoWIN Portal. Use the mobile number under which the dependent is registered.

2. Access Dependent Profiles Navigate to the "Account Details" where linked beneficiaries are added.

3. Select Beneficiary. Choose the dependent's name.

4. Download Certificate: Click "Download Certificate" next to their name.

How to Verify The Authenticity of Your Certificate

To prevent fraud or misuse, verifying the authenticity of your vaccine certificate is essential. Here's how you can verify the authenticity of your certificate :

1. Use the CoWIN QR Code Scanner

Scan your certificate's QR code using the CoWIN app or website.

The information about your vaccinations should appear in the scanned code.

2. Verify the Details

Check if the information matches your official ID and vaccination records.

3. Report any discrepancies

If the QR code fails to authenticate, the user should report the issue via the CoWIN helpline or email.

Managing the COVID-19 vaccine certificate is important for smooth access to public services and across international borders. It would mean avoiding common mistakes in procedures such as linking it to a passport, correcting errors, and retrieving lost documents. Staying aware and ensuring that the records about your vaccination are accurate, updated, and verifiable to meet requirements across the globe is also important.

For any other help, you may refer to the official [CoWIN website] https://www.cowin.gov.in or contact the helpline.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 vaccine certificate is a document that certifies one's vaccination proof. This will help facilitate smooth travelling, employment, and even public services. Different features in this regard are explained regarding managing the certificate, how to download it, associate it with the passport, correct error details, and authenticate its contents. Individuals will be well-equipped and informed on the required procedures to ensure their immunisation records are correct, accessible, and globally acceptable. Proper management of your vaccine certificate simplifies procedures and underlines the value of preparedness in a post-pandemic world. As this blog has explained, the process of downloading vaccine certificates in India is easy if you follow the right steps.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some common questions about COVID-19 Vaccine Certificate.

What does the QR code on the vaccination certificate mean?

The CoWIN vaccination certificate includes a secure QR code that has been digitally signed. This can be validated online by utilising this portal's verification tool or third party verification apps.

How can I determine whether my COVID-19 vaccine certificate is valid?

You may determine whether a certificate is valid and genuine by scanning it using a QR code reading app on your smartphone.

Is a COVID booster required?

For patients who have been vaccinated but have not had a strong enough immune response, an additional primary dosage of a COVID-19 vaccine is advised. A booster dosage, on the other hand, is indicated for persons who have been vaccinated but whose immune response has diminished over time.

When does COVID-19 become worse?

A person's symptoms may be mild for about a week, then rapidly worsen. Inform your doctor if your symptoms increase rapidly in a short time frame.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet. Please consult a doctor before making any health-related decisions.