Covid-19 vaccination passport: Your questions answered about state government’s new VaxCheck app

How do I download my Covid vaccine certificate? What if I don’t have a mobile? What about privacy? We answer your vaccination passport questions.

South Australia’s move towards a digital Covid-19 vaccination passport has moved a step closer with the launch of a vaccine passport trial today ahead of a highly anticipated reopening of the state’s borders and economy.

Official projections show Friday, December 3, is looming as the date vaccinated South Australians may reach an 80 per cent vaccination rate and start to enjoy greater freedom.

Latest figures show 58.7 per cent of SA adults older than 16 are fully vaccinated while more than three quarters have a single dose.

Here we answer key questions about the existing Covid-19 vaccination certificates and the landmark vaccination passport trial.

A new vaccine passport trial has started. But don’t I already have a Covid-19 certificate on my phone?

For many who have been fully vaccinated you’ll already have a Covid-19 digital certificate in your phone wallet.

The trial that kicked of today is for a vaccine passport that would be fully integrated into the mySA GOV app and your QR code checking in.

So you can download, print off or digitally store your vaccination record now but if this trial is successful, the vaccine passport will roll out in the future and be easier to use and fully integrated on your check-in app.

It will likely be up to individual businesses whether they use that to refuse entry for those who are not vaccinated.

So, how do I get the Covid-19 digital certificate on my phone now if I’m fully vaccinated?

If you’re 14 or older, you’ll need to get your own Covid-19 digital certificate or immunisation history statement using either your Medicare online account through myGov or the Express Plus Medicare mobile app. If it’s not already, you’ll need to link Medicare to your myGov account to access your immunisation history statement or Covid-19 digital certificate.

I don’t have a smartphone, how do I get a Covid-19 certificate?

Currently, proof of either an AstraZeneca or Pfizer dose is recorded by using a Medicare online account through the commonwealth’s myGov, My Health Record or the Express Medicare app.

Parents of 12 and 13 year-olds can access vaccination records through these records also.

But teenagers aged 14 or older must get their own certificate or immunisation history statement.

You can print your own Covid-19 digital certificate or immunisation history statement when you download your proof online through Services Australia. You don’t need to call for a copy. Users can add the passport to your digital wallet on a phone. People can also ask their vaccination provider to print a copy of their immunisation history statement.

You can also ring the Australian Immunisation Register on 1800 653 803 to ask for a copy by mail. It can take up to 14 days to arrive by post.

But I can’t have a Covid vaccination for medical reasons?

If you can’t get any of the approved Covid-19 vaccines for medical reasons, this will be recorded on your immunisation history statement and COVID-19 digital certificate.

It will be recorded as a medical contraindication, which means you can’t have any of the Covid-19 vaccines.

Your doctor will need to update your record on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) to say you have a medical contraindication.

You can then use your statement or certificate as proof of your vaccination status, if it’s needed.

I’m not eligible for Medicare so how do I get my Covid certificate?

If you’re not eligible for Medicare, you need an Individual Healthcare Identifier (IHI) through myGov to get your proof of Covid-19 vaccinations online.

What is the new vaccine passport trial?

The state government on Monday, October 18, launched a pilot test program of the official Covid vaccination digital certificates, dubbed VaxCheck.

The Department of the Premier and Cabinet is overseeing the trial – with input from SA Health – which officials say will “add proof of Covid-19 vaccinations via a special digital certificate into the mySA GOV app”.

The app also houses critical contacting tracing QR code data. The trial is testing technology and security.

Once complete, fully vaccinated South Australians will be able to add their passport to their mySA GOV app that will be integrated with the Covid Safe Check-in system.

Who is involved?

The trial will involve 50 participants, who will provide feedback to developers over the next three weeks.

Officials said they will be government workers, who have opted into the program.

Among them is DPC chief executive officer, Nick Reade, who posted details on his social media accounts.

A department spokesman said participants were currently being uploaded to the system before testing of the check-in function and associated display of start.

Why has a trial been launched?

The state government last month signed up to a national plan to integrate proof of vaccination with a digital passport. All states and territories agreed at a national cabinet meeting.

Mr Reade said DPC trial will “ensure a seamless and secure rollout to the community”.

“The benefit of having it on the mySA Gov app, is to enable seamless functionality with the QR check-in system,” he said.

I’m nervous about my medical records being hacked?

Officials say the trial will test the system’s security to ensure medical records, and relevant data, is secure from security breaches and/or hacking.

The app also doesn’t track people’s locations.

Mr Reade said his digital team will test the app with a small group of participants to “ensure the functionality and security of the integration”.

He said many people had already downloaded their Covid-19 digital certificate to their Apple Wallet or Google Pay.

Last week the state’s chief auditor revealed that QR code data is backed up, and not destroyed after 28 days despite repeated government assurances that it would be.

Former banker David Palmer, chief digital privacy officer at Sydney company TrustGrid, which has developed NSW app security, said the system were “virtually impossible to break”.

He also said any such passport needed proof a person was not using someone else’s phone.

“You need something to bind to whom is holding the phone and to the certificate, like a photo or driver’s licence,” he said. “Trying to forge a driver’s licence is a federal crime.”

He also warned authorities needed to ensure there was enough capacity for a “surge” in use once it goes live to the wider population.

Where will I have to show my proof?

Officials say details about any requirements about proof of vaccination within South Australia is still being finalised.

Under the national cabinet agreement, Vaxcheck will be recognised across Australia.

The transition committee, of which Mr Reade is chairman, is developing a plan for when SA reaches the magic 80 per cent vaccination mark.

The committee, comprising senior officials including chief public health officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier, will then provide a road map to Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, who will authorise any new legal directions as state Covid co-ordinator.

Mr Reade said: “A lot of the finer details around the way vaccination proof will be used in South Australia is still being worked through.

“But, as our vaccination rates increase, we know that soon enough, South Australia will open to the rest of Australia and in turn, to the rest of the world.

“Before this happens, we need to ensure that we are ready.”

The app is only for fully vaccinated people, and not those with just a first dose.

So does this mean Covid-19 jabs will be mandatory?

No. Premier Steven Marshall, and various government officials, have ruled out imposing statewide mandatory vaccinations.

But many sectors, such as healthcare workers and essential border travellers, require a jab.

Authorities say the app will make it easier for people to prove they have been vaxxed if a business elects to introduce compulsory vaccinations or a “no entry, no jab” policy.

Mr Marshall said the VaxCheck pilot would ensure a “secure and seamless rollout … as our state prepares to be Covid-ready”.

“South Australia’s borders will be reopening with the rest of the country and a key tool in our continued defence against Covid-19 is vaccination,” he said.

Officials say details on whether children aged 12 and older be made to show their vaccination status is still being worked through.

Details on noncompliance penalties, and how long the passports will be needed for, are also still being developed.

Vaccinated woman showing her immunisation certificate.

What if I got my jab overseas?

If you’ve received an approved vaccine overseas, you can have it recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) upon return to Australia.

This will then appear on your immunisation history statement.

You can ask a recognised vaccination provider in Australia to record your overseas vaccinations on the AIR, if it is approved for use in Australia.

All documents will need to translate into English.

Originally published as Covid-19 vaccination passport: Your questions answered about state government’s new VaxCheck app