With India eyeing the ambitious goal to vaccinate all adults by the end of this year, the Indian government jas introduced a new facility to book vaccine slots using WhatsApp.

"Paving a new era of citizen convenience. Now, book COVID-19 vaccine slots easily on your phone within minutes," tweeted Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya Tuesday morning, NDTV reported. 

In another significant move, the government earlier this month had introduced the facility of getting vaccination certificates via WhatsApp. This came as a relief for those trying to get a proof of vaccination with the CoWIN platform reporting glitches on some occasions. Amid concern over a third Covid wave, vaccine certificates are being sought for interstate travel, among other things.

"Revolutionising common man's life using technology! Now get #COVID19 vaccination certificate through MyGov Corona Helpdesk in 3 easy steps. Save contact number: +91 9013151515. Type & send 'covid certificate' on WhatsApp. Enter OTP. Get your certificate in seconds," the Health Minister's office had tweeted.

India has given nearly 600 million vaccine doses so far, but only 13 per cent of its eligible population has been fully vaccinated so far. The government aims to vaccinate 1 billion adults by the end of this year even as opposition leaders claim the country is not vaccinating at the required pace amid a shortage of doses.

Last week, the drug regulator approved Zydus Cadila's three-dose COVID-19 DNA vaccine for emergency use in adults and children aged 12 years and above. This was the sixth vaccine to be cleared in India. Sharvil Patel, managing director Cadila Healthcare, said his company will produce 3-5 crore (30 to 50 million) doses by December-January, adding the firm is expecting 10 million doses a month by October.