The political debate regarding the vaccination passport 2:53
(CNN Spanish) -
California health officials launched a new website where state residents can access a digital version of their covid-19 vaccination card, which can be used as proof of immunization, although the residents are not required to use it.
"While the CDPH [California Department of Public Health] recommends that vaccinated Californians keep their paper CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] card in a safe place, we recognize that some people may prefer an electronic version." said Dr. Erica Pan, a California state epidemiologist, in a briefing on Friday.
"If one of the nearly 20 million Californians vaccinated in the state misplaces their paper card, the COVID-19 Digital Vaccine Registry provides a convenient backup."
Governor Gavin Newsom mentioned the electronic records plan earlier this week, but said it would not be a "vaccine passport" or that it would not be required to use it.
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Amy Tong, state CIO and director of the California Department of Technology, said the system follows national security and privacy standards and is built by the state.
Follow the steps below to obtain your digital vaccination card:
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Go to the California government website.
Enter your name, date of birth, and the email address or phone number associated with your vaccination record.
Assign a four-digit PIN number to access your record.
Click Submit.
Once you receive the link, it will open a QR code and a digital copy of your COVID-19 vaccination record with the same information that is shown on the CDC paper vaccination card.
Tong indicated that it is recommended to take a screenshot so that the digital record is always available.
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"We achieved our goal of rapidly producing an intuitive portal that offers Californians another way, and an easier way, to access their own COVID-19 vaccination history," added Tong.
Walmart and Sam's Club also offer a digital card on their COVID-19 vaccination record "so people no longer have to worry about losing their hard copy," a Walmart press release reads.
This digital record is available to people 18 years of age and older who received their Covid 19 vaccine at a Walmart pharmacy, Sam's Club, or at a vaccination event organized by Walmart.
With information from Sarah Moon
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