The My Vaccine Pass, launched today, is an official record of Covid-19 vaccination status, allowing access to things like concerts, festivals, gyms and sports events, as per the new Covid protection framework. Here's all you need to know.
How do I get My Vaccine Pass?
Once you are fully vaccinated, sign up to My Covid Record - www.mycovidrecord.nz - to see your vaccination status and request a pass. Your My Vaccine Pass will include your name, date of birth and a QR code. You can save this pass on a digital device, like your phone, or print a physical copy.
If someone has a temporary medical exemption, they can call 0800 222-478 to request a My Vaccine Pass. They may be asked a few things to confirm their identity, such as their name and date of birth.
Where will people need to use My Vaccine Pass?
Under the Covid Protection Framework you will be required to show My Vaccine Pass as proof of vaccination status in a range of public settings such as events, hospitality, retail, community, sport, and faith-based gatherings.
Where do you not need to show a My Vaccine Pass?
Under the Covid Protection Framework, there are certain settings where denying entry on the basis of vaccination status will be prohibited.
You do not have to show proof of your vaccination status to access supermarkets, pharmacies, all health and disability services, food banks or petrol stations. Proof of vaccination is also not required in education settings, on all public transport (other than air travel) or when accessing housing and housing support services under state sector agencies.
For children under the age of 12, there is no requirement to show proof of vaccination.
Is there anyone who is unable to get a My Vaccine Pass?
There are very few people who are unable to get a vaccine due to medical grounds. These people who apply through the
Ministry of Health and receive a temporary medical exemption process will also be able to receive a vaccine pass.
For children under the age of 12, there is no requirement to show proof of vaccination.
When will booster shots be included into the systems?
People will be able to book a booster shot through Book My Vaccine from November 26. Once they have had a booster shot, it will show up in their My Covid Record along with their other doses.
The date for a booster shot to be included as criteria for My Vaccine Pass as part of the definition of “fully vaccinated” is to be determined, requiring further advice from CVTAG.
How long is My Vaccine Pass valid for?
A person’s My Vaccine Pass is valid for six months from date of issue.
This is because booster shots may be required to ensure ongoing protection against Covid, and because medical exemptions are only valid for six months. If vaccination passes are still required after a pass has expired, you will need to request another one to prove your vaccinations are current.
How do I get a My Vaccine Pass if I don’t have a smart phone, a computer or internet access?
People without a smartphone or access to a computer can call 0800 222-478 to request a My Vaccine Pass. They need to have a National Health Index (NHI) number ready or may be asked a few things to confirm their identity, such as name and date of birth. Someone can call for a person on their behalf, but they must have their permission.
What about 12-16 year olds? How will they access My Vaccine Pass?
As of this week, 12-year-olds and over can access My Covid Record using my Health Account.
What do people do who share an email within their household?
An individual email address is required when requesting a My Vaccine Pass via My Covid Record because people have different dates of birth and different medical records. This is common practice with digital services. People who do not have an individual email account can register for their own unique email address from one of the free providers such as Gmail or Hotmail.
Alternatively, a person can call the 0800 number and request an MVP which will then be mailed in hard copy to their address.
How are you looking after my privacy?
The vaccination certificates are created from data held in the Covid Immunisation Register that records your Covid-19 vaccinations. The vaccination certificate system has been designed to keep your details private, with vaccination proof securely coded into the QR code.
Why do you show my age on the pass?
Some businesses and organisations might require that ID is shown along with your vaccination pass. This is an important method to reduce vaccination pass forgery.
How does someone get a My Vaccine Pass if they don’t have one of the six forms of ID needed to sign up for My Covid Record?
If someone has been vaccinated but doesn’t have an ID, they can call 0800 222-478 to request a My Vaccine Pass. We suggest they have their National Health Index (NHI) number ready, but if they don’t have it, we may ask a few questions to confirm their identity, such as name and date of birth.
Can people coming from overseas get a My Vaccine Pass?
A process is being established to record Covid vaccinations administered overseas in the New Zealand Covid Immunisation Register. We can record all 23 vaccines that are approved as per the New Zealand entry requirements.
You must apply for this information to be included in your records. This will take up to 14 days and people will need to provide proof of the vaccines and dates administered so they can be entered into the Covid-19 Immunisation Register.
While all 23 vaccines can be recorded, these do not mean you will be eligible for the My Vaccine Pass. At this stage, from the week of November 26, there are eight approved vaccines that can be used as proof of vaccine status when applying for My Vaccine Pass.
They are:
1. Pfizer/BioNTech
2. Janssen (Johnson and Johnson)
3. AstraZeneca (Oxford)
4. AstraZeneca/Covishield (Serum Institute of India)
5. Moderna
6. Sinopharm
7. Sinovac (CoronaVac)
8. Covaxin (Bharat Biotech)
Do I need a National Health Index number to enter My Covid Record and request My Vaccine Pass?
You won’t need your National Health Index (NHI) number to log on to My Covid Record, but you will need an email address and a valid identity document, such as a birth certificate, driver’s licence or passport issued in New Zealand or Australia.
You can call 0800 222-478 to request a My Vaccine Pass. Please have your National Health Index (NHI) number ready or if you don’t have it, we may need to ask you a few things to confirm your identity, such as your name and date of birth.
How long will I need an official record of my vaccination status?
As part of the CPF, you will need proof of your vaccination status to access public settings in New Zealand until further notice. This is to help ensure we are reducing the risk of the virus spreading at large gatherings and events over the summer and into next year.
It’s anticipated that the need for proof of a vaccine certification when travelling internationally will be in place for years to come.
When will international vaccine certificates be available?
International vaccine certificates can be requested now. If you are using the call centre, it’s recommended you request a certificate a week or so before the date you intend to travel overseas. The certificates have an expiry date of one year.
You should sign up for My Covid Record now to ensure you can create certificates and are ready to go.
How can I know the international certificate will be accepted by my country of destination?
You should check the requirements of the country you’re travelling to and find out what proof of vaccination, if any, is needed.
You will need to follow all the usual immigration processes and additional steps, such as pre-departure Covid-19 testing.
Consult the official website or the nearest embassy/consulate of your country or territory of destination to find out about any border controls that may apply to you before travelling.
How is this different from My Vaccine Pass?
You will receive a separate QR code for your international vaccine certificate. These certificates will be recognised by international jurisdictions and are for travel purposes only.
How is this different form the Ministry of Health “Proof of Vaccine” letter I requested and received?
If you’ve already received a vaccination confirmation letter from the Ministry of Health you can still use this for international travel, but to ensure the country you are travelling to recognises your proof of vaccination status we recommend you request an International Travel Vaccination Certificate, and the easiest way to request this is through My Covid Record.
Which countries will accept New Zealand’s international travel vaccine certificate?
International vaccine certificates from New Zealand are recognised as part of the EU Digital Covid Certificate, as announced November 15. This now means New Zealand certificates may be used as proof of vaccine when entering 49 countries, with more countries expected to come.
For more information of the EUDCC visit: ec.europa.eu/info/live-work-travel-eu/coronavirus-response/safe-Covid-19-vaccines-europeans/ eu-digital-Covid-certificate_en
EUDCC formatted certificates, including New Zealand’s, are being widely recognised by countries outside the EUDCC system, including Australia and the United States.
Can I download the international certificate on my phone or is it print only?
Yes, you can receive a digital version via email that you can save on your phone. Please note that the international certificate cannot yet be added to Apple Wallet or Google Pay - you must either have the downloaded copy of the PDF on your phone or have printed a copy.
• Source: Office of Minister for COVID-19 Response Chris Hipkins