The state of California has launched a tool that gives residents easy access to a digital copy of their COVID-19 vaccine information. Unlike the New York Excelsior Pass, it’s not an app that people need to install on their phones. It’s a simple website that requires residents to enter their name, date of birth, and the phone number or email address they used when they were vaccinated. You will also need to create a 4-digit PIN that you will need to remember in order to open the digital copy of your vaccination record.
In addition to a link with their information, users also receive a QR code that makes their files readable with a QR scanner. This enables them to gain access to facilities or events that require prior vaccination of customers or participants. While the digital records are convenient, the California Department of Health recommends “vaccinated Californians keep their paper CDC card in a safe place.” Your digital COVID-19 vaccination record is meant to be a convenient backup that you can take with you wherever you go.
The state government said the tool was created according to “national security and privacy standards” as it will have access to people’s sensitive information. That said, it can’t work perfectly right now. One of the editors at Engadget, California, signed up and found that his information on the digital version of his recordings was incorrect. The initiative may be suffering from some rollout issues affecting the state’s database.
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