The Government has officially said that people in England won’t need vaccine passports for domestic use – such as going to pubs theatres and restaurants.
But according to reports it is revisiting the idea as part of plans to keep hospitality and events open this winter in the event of another lockdown.
The move would mean that people who have a vaccine passport – those who can prove they have had both jabs – could be able to get into places that others will be banned from.
And the Government says it is likely some countries will want proof you have been vaccinated before you are allowedf to go on holiday.
The main use of the passport at the moment is to let you travel to countries on the ‘amber list’ without quarantining.
These include France, Greece, Germany and Italy.
The Government is also trialing the use of passports for some events.
It has adapted the NHS England app to act as a vaccine passport – and is considering where and when the passport may be put into use.
How to get a Covid passport
Download the NHS App from the app store on your phone, so your vaccine passport, or ‘NHS Covid Pass’, is always with you.
The NHS App is separate from the NHS Covid-19 app that you use for test and trace or Covid alerts.
After you have installed the app, start by selecting ‘continue with GP login’.
This will match you with your NHS record. You will need your NHS number or name, your date of birth and your postcode, as well as an email address and phone number.
If you don’t know your NHS number, you can still use the app, it just needs to check who you are by checking your details.
Then you will see an option called ‘get your NHS Covid Pass’.
Click on that, and you will be asked to let the app access your information.
Currently you can use the Pass to travel, or access events as part of a trial being run by the government.
To travel, click the link and you will be given a Pass on the app, which is a QR code as well as the details of your two Covid vaccinations. You can download a PDF copy of this, or get it emailed to you.
To go to events the process of getting a pass is different.
One way is to do a self-administered Covid test within 48 hours of going to an event, then register a negative result via the app. If you get a test done at a centre by someone else, this is done for you.
Other ways are to have had your second jab at least two weeks beforehand, prove natural immunity or be exempt.
Digital passports last for 28 days if you are double-jabbed, but this automatically renews. It lasts 48 hours after a negative PCR or lateral flow test, and for 180 days after a positive PCR test.
One you have registered the app, you can use your face or fingerprint to log in rather than a password if you want.
You can also get a paper passport two weeks after having your second dose of the vaccine. You should get it within five working days.
You can do this by visiting this NHS website or calling 119.
But do not call 119 if you are travelling in more than four weeks time.
