NHS app will show proof of a third vaccination
NHS app will show proof of a third vaccination to help Britons travelling to countries where booster jab is required
Proof of a third jab will soon appear in the travel section of the NHS vaccine passThe addition will potentially help Britons enter countries were it is requiredIt may also make it easier for the UK government to make a third jab compulsory in some domestic settings, a requirement already seen in some countries
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The NHS app is being updated to show proof of booster jabs in a move which could save Christmas travel plans for the elderly and vulnerable.
It will appear on the travel section of the Covid pass in the coming days, allowing Brits to visit parts of Europe which now require evidence of a third dose.
While the new feature will initially be limited to travel, it could also make it easier for the UK Government to make the third jab compulsory in domestic circumstances.
Boris Johnson warned on Monday that the concept of full vaccination would need to be adjusted – with a third jab becoming part of it.
Almost 14million Britons have had the booster but the goal is to administer 40million to people over the age of 40.
Countries including Austria and Israel are now requesting proof of boosters for arrivals vaccinated many months ago.
France has indicated that proof of a third jab will be required for over-65s to access most venues from December 15.
Proof of a booster jab will soon appear on the travel section of the Covid pass, potentially helping Britons in countries where it is required
The NHS app is being updated to show proof of booster jabs. Pictured: A woman is given a booster jab in Windsor, England on Monday
Millions of people who have had a booster dose of a coronavirus vaccine are now able to prove this via the NHS app.
Travellers who have had a extra jab will be able to display their vaccination status on the NHS Covid Pass from midday on Friday, the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) has said.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the move aims to make it easier to travel abroad.
He said: ‘We want to make it as easy as possible for people to show their vaccine status if they are travelling abroad.
‘This update to the NHS Covid Pass will mean people can have their complete medical picture at their fingertips if they are going on holiday or seeing loved ones overseas.
‘Getting a top-up jab is our best defence against this virus and I urge all those who are eligible to come forward and get boosted.’
More than 13 million booster vaccines and third doses have been delivered across the UK so far, and the programme was extended to those aged between 40 and 49 this week.
Vaccines minister Maggie Throup said people can book appointments up to a month before they are eligible for the booster.
She said: ‘Getting a booster is the best way you can protect yourself ahead of winter and it’s great those who have come forward can now demonstrate their vaccination status through the NHS Covid Pass if they are travelling overseas.
‘It has also never been easier to book your booster, with walk-in sites open across the country and appointments available to pre-book a month before you are eligible for your top-up.’
Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, welcomed the app’s latest development but said the Government must also ‘urgently’ update it so that teenagers can show their vaccine status too.
He told the PA news agency: ‘Adding the booster certification to the app is a major step forward today.
‘It gives a confidence boost to those who were putting off booking for the Christmas period and it now means they can travel with their vaccine status up to date.
‘But it’s not the end of the story, we need to see the Government update the app urgently for those aged between 12 and 17.
‘Those who are fully up to date with the available vaccines, and that includes teenagers who have had one vaccine because that’s all they’re allowed, should have the gift of being able to travel without worry.’
Thomas Cook also welcomed the news.
A spokesperson for the travel agent said: ‘It’s great news that the Government is allowing the latest vaccination status to be shown in the app to enable people to demonstrate their status.’
Booster doses will not be added to the domestic Covid Pass because it is not currently a requirement for travel within the UK.
It will also not be necessary to show evidence of a booster for travel into England.
Almost 20 million people have accessed the Covid Pass via the NHS app since it was launched on May 17, the DHSC has said.
