NHS Digital has added a function to its general NHS app which shows if a user has had two doses of an approved vaccination, as evidence for countries that require evidence of this as a condition of entry
The Share your Covid-19 function in the NHS app, which is separate from the Covid-19 contact tracing app, is one of three ways in which the NHS in England is providing a ‘vaccine passport’ service. The second allows users with an NHS log-in to view their vaccination status online and download or print this as a PDF document.
Alternatively, travellers can request a printed letter be posted to them by calling 119, which includes security features and a barcode with a unique reference that can be used for verification. The printed version is intended only for those without a suitable device who are travelling to a country that needs vaccination evidence in the next four weeks.
In all cases, the data is drawn from NHS England’s National Immunisation Management System, including NHS number, name and Covid vaccination history.
The Scottish Government has launched a similar scheme through which users can generate vaccination status letters from its NHS Inform patient portal or request that one be posted by calling a helpline.
Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove has been leading a review into whether vaccine passports should be used for controlling access to premises and events domestically. The government has reportedly ruled out their use by pubs and restaurants, but is still considering them for larger venues such as sports stadia.
