Isai RochaCalifornians who are vaccinated against COVID-19 may now obtain a digital record of their vaccine cards to use in lieu of the physical copy.
The Digital Vaccine Record is a temporary barcode that may be requested on the California Department of Health website, for use at establishments that choose to require proof of vaccination for entry.
“We’ll be doing something that provides you the opportunity… to have an electronic version of your paper version of vaccination,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said on June 14, before releasing the digital vaccine system. “It’s not a passport, it’s not a requirement, it’s just the ability now to have an electronic version of that paper version.”
After entering a name, date of birth and creating a 4-digit pin number, the barcode is sent to either an email or phone number which was connected to the California Immunization Registry at the time of receiving the vaccination.
The digital record is only valid for 24 hours after a request and the physical copy given at the time of vaccination may still be used if necessary.
When it comes to enforcing mask regulations, businesses have the option to either ask all patrons to wear masks in the establishment, ask for proof of vaccination through either the physical vaccine card— or now digital vaccine card, or allow customers to “self-attest” that they have been vaccinated and do not need to wear a mask.
