Here is why you should not share COVID-19 vaccine certificate on social media The government has issued an advisory against posting vaccination certificates online. MONEYCONTROL NEWS MAY 28, 2021 / 09:16 AM IST

 

The government has issued an advisory against posting vaccination certificates online.

The government has advised against posting the coronavirus vaccination certificate on social media as it carries important personal information that can be misused.

The certificate carries the name, age, gender as well as vaccination details—the name of vaccine name, dates of first and well as the second dose.

"Beware of sharing #vaccination certificate on social media," the government said. "COVID-19 vaccination certificate contains your name and other personal details. Avoid sharing your vaccination certificate on social media platforms as it may be misused cyber fraudsters to defraud you," the post read.

The ministry of home affairs posted the warning on its cyber-safety and cybersecurity awareness Twitter handle Cyber Dost. COVID-19 vaccination certificate can be downloaded both from CoWIN portal as well as from the Aarogya Setu app.

Scientists, doctors and even politicians have been encouraging people to get the COVID-19 jab. On May 1, the government opened vaccination for all above 18 years of age in the third phase of the nationwide vaccination drive, though a shortage has forced several states to put off vaccination for 18-45 age group.

Vaccination status can now be accessed from the Aarogya Setu app as well. A blue tick appears against the names of people once they take the first dose. After both doses, two blue ticks will be displayed. "Now your Vaccination Status can be updated on Aarogya Setu. Get yourself vaccinated - Get the Double Blue Ticks and Get the Blue Shield," Aarogya Setu tweeted.

The vaccination certificate is expected to gain more importance in the coming days as several countries are working on systems that will require travel to provide proof of being vaccinated.

India has no such requirement for domestic or international travel but public health experts believe vaccination certificates can boost tourism not only in India but across the world.

India has cleared three vaccines—Covishield, developed by the Serum Institute of India for Oxford-AstraZaneca, Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin and Russia's Sputnik V—for emergency use.