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THOSE PAPER COVID-19 vaccination cards weren’t designed for heavy use. Yet many jurisdictions require proof of vaccination to enter a restaurant, theater, museum or sports event. How do we avoid wearing out the card when we’re constantly pulling it out of our purse, pocket or wallet? Simple. Provide digital proof of your vaccine status.
There are some state-specific mobile apps that do this, like New York’s Excelsior Pass, as well as proprietary apps like Clear and Azova. But there wasn’t one likely winner to become a widely used system—until now. It’s called the SMART Health Card.
The SMART Health Card is a verifiable health record from the CommonTrust Network, a non-profit registry of data sources that encompasses health systems, testing sites, vaccination providers and public health registries. A growing number of U.S. states, international governments and retail pharmacies—including Walmart, CVS, Rite Aid and Sam’s Club—have joined the network and become SMART Health Card issuers for vaccinations.
All use SMART Health IT, an open standards program now supported in software platforms from Microsoft, Google, Apple, Amazon and others. Apple’s latest iOS 15.1 release, and Google Android 5 or later, also both use it.
Here’s how two states, California and Washington State, both of which adopted SMART Health Cards, have made it easy to add proof of vaccination to your Apple wallet:
Once that’s done, you can access your vaccination SMART Health card like any other card in your phone’s wallet. You’ll also see your COVID vaccination information in the Apple Health app. Other states may adopt different methods while using the same SMART Health technology.
Restaurants and event venues can use the SMART Health verifier app to ensure your QR code has not been tampered with and is uniquely yours based on your name and birth date.
There are different procedures if your state is one of the CommonTrust Network issuers but already gave you a printed SMART Health QR code with your vaccination status. In that case, scan that card with your iPhone’s camera and follow the steps outlined here.
The steps to create a digital SMART card on Android phones are similar, only a bit more complicated. It may be simpler to use this CommonHealth app.
Thanks for the info!
I live in WA and downloaded the QR code from the Dept. of Health.
I just saved the code to “Files” bypassing the Apple Health app.
My vaccination card photo was previously saved on my iPhone*.
King County mandated vaccine verification at restaurants, gyms, etc. a few weeks ago.
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*King County allows vaccination card photos to be used for verification
I have no interest at all in setting up an Apple wallet. No need for Apple to know what I’m spending and where I’m going. However, when I got my booster shot I was presented with a plastic holder for my card. I think that will work fine, especially as I am immuno-compromised and am still having to be very careful about where I go.
I’m with you, I have no need to have my smartphone always with me and constantly unlock or check it — I got along fine before they became the thing and get along fine now with one but do not incessantly need to check it for texts, talk it on or be distracted by it, especially when driving or with others.
I photo copied my vaccination card. I keep the original at home and had Staples, UPS store or similar source laminate the copy that I carry with me. Call me old fashion, but I don’t the need or desire to download and learn apps for something I can handle simply in another manner. And, if I ever need to get an additional booster, I still have an unsoiled original card to get updated when that happens.