In New York City, if people want to participate in public life, they will soon have to supply proof of vaccination from COVID-19. The requirement is part of a new policy unveiled by Mayor Bill de Blasio, who told reporters on Tuesday that the city will require at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine for anyone who wants to attend an indoor gym or performance, or dine indoors at a restaurant.
The policy will be enforced officially starting on Sept. 13, fashioning it the first approximation of a vaccine mandate in the United States, using the country’s biggest city as a petri dish for the bitterly polarizing concept. (President Joe Biden also mandated vaccination for all federal workers earlier this week.) Although New York state aims to allow residents to demonstrate vaccine proof through its Excelsior Pass app, not everyone in the country is able to supply proof in such a seamless manor.
If you’re intent on supplying proof of vaccination, there are several ways to go about it, regardless of where you live and the various requirements of the businesses you might frequent.
How to prove you’ve gotten the COVID-19 vaccination
As we all know, everyone’s vaccination comes with a card that details the time, location, and brand of vaccine they’ve received. This is an essential piece of operating in the post-lockdown economy, and there are various ways to brandish it in daily life.
For starters, you can simply keep your vaccine card in your wallet. If you’re going to need the card to be granted access to various indoor activities, the easiest solution may be to keep it on your person. However, that’s also the easiest way to lose said card, so a less risky option is to take a clear picture of your vaccination card (if you haven’t already), and keep it stored on your phone.
Another option is to scan scanning it onto your phone through the Notes app (if you’re using an iPhone). USA Today explains how to do this:
If you’re using an iPhone, scanning your COVID-19 card using the Notes app adds a little more security. To do this, start a new note, then tap on the camera. Go down to Scan Document and add your card with the built-in scanner. You can then choose to lock it with a passcode. Any time you tap on the note, it will ask you to type a passcode to view.
You could also opt for an old-fashioned doctor’s note. You may be able to get verification from your primary healthcare provider, perhaps in a format that’s easier to transport than the card itself, such as email. You can also laminate your vaccine card and keep it in a protective badge holder. This can help you differentiate it from the other odds and ends you have in your wallet.
States with their own apps for Covid vaccination proof
The overwhelming majority of states don’t require proof of vaccination (a few have outright banned vaccine passports), but a handful of states have offered a few digital tools to ease the process of flashing one’s vaccine card. California, Colorado, Hawaii, New York, New Jersey, Louisiana, and Utah all allow citizens to download some variety of a digital copy of their vaccine record. As the Washington Post notes, some corporate pharmacies are aiding in the process, as “millions across the United States have access to digital records directly from Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, and others.”
While the majority of states don’t require any kind of verification, it’s possible that private business in those states will. Keeping verification of your vaccine demonstrates a willingness to keep those around you safe—much like the shot itself.