My Vaccine Pass

My Vaccine Pass is a vaccine certificate issued by the New Zealand Government that serves as an official record of a person's COVID-19 vaccination status. The Vaccine pass will be required to enter hospitality venues, community, sport and faith-based gatherings once the COVID-19 Protection Framework comes into effect on 3 December 2021.

Description

My Vaccine Pass is an official record of one's COVID-19 vaccination status in New Zealand. Anyone above the age of 12 who has received two COVID-19 vaccines in New Zealand or who has been given a medical exemption can request a "My Vaccine Pass" via the "My COVID Record" website. The pass will contain the individual's name, date of birth and a QR code. This pass can be saved on a digital device such as a phone and can also be printed. Those lacking a smartphone or computer access can also request a My Vaccine Pass by a phone call. A printed version of the Pass can also be obtained in person for free at pharmacies that provide COVID-19 vaccinations.

On 23 November 2021, Hipkins confirmed that once the My Vaccine Pass has been downloaded, an Internet connection is not required to operate it. However, the app's device should be regularly connected to the Internet to remain up to date.

The My Vaccine Pass is valid for six months from the date of issue since booster shots may be required and because medical exemptions are only valid for six months. If vaccination passes are still required after a pass has expired, users will need to request another one to prove that their vaccinations are current.

Under the Government's COVID-19 Protection Framework, the My Vaccine Pass will be compulsory for entering a range of public settings including events, hospitality, close contact businesses such as hairdressers and beauticians, retailers, sporting events, and faith-based gatherings. However, the vaccine pass will not be needed to access essential services such as supermarkets, pharmacies, health and disability services, food banks, petrol stations, public transportation, schools, housing and housing support services. Children under the age of 12 do not need to show proof of vaccination status. Certain businesses and event managers will be required to check customers' My Vaccine Pass with the NZ Pass Verifier app.

Overseas travel

My Vaccine Pass cannot be used for international travel. People travelling overseas have to apply for a separate "International Travel Vaccine Certificate." People can request a travel vaccine certificate on the My COVID Record or via a phone call. The International Travel Vaccination Certificate complies with European Union Digital COVID Certificate standards and is valid for one year upon issue.

Overseas vaccination

Individuals who have been vaccinated overseas can apply to the Ministry of Health to have their overseas vaccination record added to New Zealand's COVID Immunisation Register (CIR) prior to applying for their My Vaccine Pass. The COVID Vaccination Technical Advisor Group recognises eight overseas vaccines for the My Vaccine Pass; namely the Pfizer–BioNTech, Janssen, Oxford–AstraZeneca (including Covishield), Moderna and Sinopharm BIBP vaccines and CoronaVac and Covaxin.

History

Rollout

The New Zealand Government rolled out the "My Vaccine Pass" on 17 November 2021 as part of its preparation to move New Zealand into the COVID-19 Protection Framework ("traffic light system"). The Government will decide on 29 November 2021 when to move the country into the new "traffic light system."

The launch of the My Vaccine Pass was complicated by the "My COVID Record" website's cyber defence systems mistaking the large number of visitor requests for distributed denial of service (DDOS) attacks. As a result, customers initially faced delays in obtaining their vaccine certificates. In addition, New Zealand International Students Association national president Afiqah Ramizi expressed concerns that My Vaccine Pass system only accepted New Zealand and Australian identity documents, making it hard for foreign passport holders to obtain the vaccine certificates. Other international students also questioned health authorities' decision to only recognise eight vaccine types.

On 19 November 2021, seven businesses including gym chain Les Mills International announced that they would be trialling the new vaccine passes using the NZ Pass Verifier, which had been made available to them early. The Government plans to launch the NZ Pass Verifier app the following week for businesses and event holders.

By 3 December 2021, almost 70% of the 3.6 million fully vaccinated population in New Zealand (roughly 2.4 million) had downloaded their official vaccine passes.

Issues and responses

Accessibility

Māori academic Dr Karaitiana Taiuru expressed concern that the My Vaccine Pass would be inaccessible to rural and elderly Māori communities that lacked Internet access or a smartphone. In addition, many lacked a landline which he claimed was needed for ordering a postal version.

In order to address the "digital divide" for individuals who have limited access to email or phone apps required to carry the pass, people can apply for vaccine passes at some pharmacies.

Notes and references

  1. ^ a b "'My Vaccine Pass' launched". Radio New Zealand. 17 November 2021. Archived from the original on 17 November 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "All you need to know about My Vaccine Pass". Otago Daily Times. Allied Press. 17 November 2021. Archived from the original on 16 November 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e "My Vaccine Pass". Unite against COVID-19. New Zealand Government. Archived from the original on 17 November 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  4. ^ "Covid Pass verifier app now available for businesses". Radio New Zealand. 23 November 2021. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  5. ^ "NZ Pass Verifier". Ministry of Health. 19 November 2021. Archived from the original on 19 November 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  6. ^ "International Travel Vaccination Certificate". Unite against COVID-19. Ministry of Health. Archived from the original on 17 November 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  7. ^ Keall, Chris (18 November 2021). "Covid 19 Delta outbreak: Govt blames cyber defences gone haywire for Vaccine Pass problems". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 19 November 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  8. ^ Scott, Matthew (19 November 2021). "Immigrants face vaccine pass roadblocks". Newsroom. Archived from the original on 19 November 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  9. ^ McDonald, Liz (19 November 2021). "Covid-19: Customers trialling vaccine passes ahead of traffic light system roll-out". Stuff. Archived from the original on 19 November 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  10. ^ a b Chen, Andrew (3 December 2021). "Covid 19 Delta outbreak: Vaccine pass verification essential to prevent fraud, virus spread". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  11. ^ O'Connor, Matai (19 November 2021). "Claims digital Vaccine Pass discriminates against Māori". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 19 November 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.

This page was last updated at 2021-12-05 10:09 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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