In an attempt to ensure a safe and secure booking option on CoWin portal after several users complained of receiving notification of vaccination does even after they have missed the scheduled appointment, the government has introduced a new 4-digit security code feature on the portal.


What is the reason behind a new 4-digit security code?


The health ministry introduced a new 4-digit security code feature in the CoWIN portal to minimize errors for online bookings/appointments operational from May 8.


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It has been observed that some citizens, who had booked their appointment for Covid-19 vaccination through the CoWIN portal but did not actually go for vaccination on the scheduled date, received SMS notification saying that a vaccine dose has been administered to them, as per the news agency ANI.


In order to minimise such errors and the subsequent inconvenience caused to the citizens, the CoWIN system has introduced a new feature of 4-digit security code in the CoWIN application from May 8.


Once the verification is done, and the beneficiary has been found as eligible, before administering the vaccine dose, the verifier/vaccinator will ask the beneficiary about his/her 4-digit code and then enter the same in the CoWIN system to correctly record the vaccination status.


How to register on CoWIN portal with the four-digit security code:



  1. Firstly, visit the CoWIN portal

  2. Beneficiary has to register the mobile number by entering contact details

  3. Enter the OTP received through SMS. If you have already registered, just sign in with the required information.

  4. In the next step provide your location; residence state and district. You can also enter the PIN code of the nearest vaccination centre.

  5. It will fetch information about nearby vaccination centres and slots. Tap on the green slot of preference, select a time slot, and confirm the booking

  6. You will be issued a four-digit security code which you will get as a text message. This code will be required to validate your booking on the vaccination day.

  7. Once vaccinated, you can again log in to CoWIN portal to download your vaccine certificate.


Remember, not to share the code with anyone, and on the day of vaccination, you will need to share the code in order to authenticate the entire vaccination process.