Vonage has partnered with WhatsApp and Johns Hopkins to create a Chatbot for delivering reliable COVID-19 information over WhatsApp.
The Vaccine Information Resource Assistant, or VIRA, is powered by the Vonage Messages API and uses IBM technology to digest questions and provide accurate answers.
Joy Corso, Chief Marketing Officer at Vonage, said: “With the Vonage Messages API for WhatsApp, we are helping institutions like Johns Hopkins connect and engage with users from virtually anywhere, on-demand.
“Access to up-to-date healthcare and protective guidance information is crucial to staying safe and healthy”
“Vonage is proud to be partnering with Johns Hopkins on such an important public service.”
VIRA started as a web chatbot and has been expanded to WhatsApp using Vonage technology. It understands a range of topics including vaccine effectiveness, safety and eligibility.
The chatbot is designed specifically for US-based users, although the service works in other countries. The phone number is +1 410-401-0306.
Christina LoNigro, WhatsApp Social Impact Initiatives Lead, said: “We’re honoured to partner with Vonage and Johns Hopkins to support this critical work connecting people with authoritative information around the COVID-19 vaccines during the biggest public health crisis of our time.
“We are working with health ministries and governments around the world to help get their populations registered for vaccinations directly within WhatsApp.”
WhatsApp said that it has partnered with more than 350 health authorities over the course of the pandemic to create helplines – through which more than four billion messages have been sent.
Last year, Ericsson revealed plans to acquire Vonage for over $6bn.
