back to article UK govt draws a blank over vaccine certification app – no really, the report is half-empty

The UK government has underscored its attention to detail on the issue of COVID-19 vaccine passports by publishing a report, half of which is made up of pages with no information. Much to the derision of expert commentators on social media, the COVID-Status Certification Review details the government's approach to so-called …

  1. Pen-y-gors

    OPtion?

    Errm...what about the appointment card I got from my GP showing the date and batch no of both vaccines?

    1. elsergiovolador Silver badge

      Re: OPtion?

      No, this can be easily forged!

      Whereas with the app passport, someone would have to create an app that looks and behaves like real and shows the vaccine passport - which is of course totally impossible and would never happen!

      Also people looking at the app will totally without any doubt spot the fake.

      1. Headley_Grange Silver badge

        Re: OPtion?

        Given that the NHS app uses QR codes for both the travel and event passes I assumed that there'd be a corresponding reader or app that could validate them, thereby making fakes much more difficult. However, a quick Google around didn't reveal anything that can be used by pubs, clubs, etc., and there's nothing obvious in the Apple app store, so I don't really understand how this is going to work properly. The passes can be downloaded as pdf., for printing out by users without a smart phone, so once you've seen one it's trivial to mock up a fake.

        Maybe the validation app/reader is a work in progress?

        1. Doctor Syntax Silver badge

          Re: OPtion?

          "Maybe the validation app/reader is a work in progress?"

          Not until it's urgently needed. A half-arsed version will then be delivered more or leas working, for some values of working, 8 to 10 months later.

        2. gandalfcn Silver badge

          Re: OPtion?

          "I don't really understand how this is going to work properly." Are you surprised given The BoJo Mob's track record?

        3. redpola

          Re: OPtion?

          The Czech app “tečka” (available in uk App Store and play store) will read and decode a UK-issued vaccine QR (which is based on the EU ehealth EC1 standard). It will however flag it as invalid because, you know, politics. It does display the signing key fingerprint so that could be verified by hand.

    2. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: OPtion?

      They forgot to fill the second vaccination in on my card.

      When asked when the second dose was by the doctor who was trying to work out whether my newly acquired Immune Thrombocitopenic Purpura was caused by the vaccine, he did not bother to look in my record (which he had open on the screen), but just put an estimate into his notes (I could not remember whether it was the Friday or the Saturday of the week, and it was a late-call in to make sure that some unused doses did not go to waste, so was not tracked by the booking system).

      Filling in the Yellow Card requires me to provide the batch number, so I've installed the NHS app, just to get the information that I was not provided at the time. Not totally happy about this, and I'm sure that they will record that I've used it, and will expect me to use it again even if I choose to delete it.

      Still suffering the fallout from this, which may be a rest-of-life condition, however long that will be.

  2. Paul Herber Silver badge
    Pint

    I'm an optimist, I see the report as being half-full.

    1. elsergiovolador Silver badge

      Imagine the pain some poor soul had to go through staring at empty pages and then submit to their manager that this is all they could come up with...

      The very thought makes me cringe.

      1. Headley_Grange Silver badge

        Reminds me of O-Level Geography homework.

    2. Mobster

      I am an engineer - the report is twice as long as it ought to be.

    3. gandalfcn Silver badge

      That depends if you are filling or emptying. I'm a realist.

  3. Ken Moorhouse Silver badge

    The characters in the report...

    ...are merely social distancing.

  4. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    App based stuff, and if someone steals my phone ?

    Lose or have the phone stolen if it's unlocked with an app based system and someone then gets access to

    lots of juicy info.

    No thanks.

    1. Eclectic Man Silver badge

      Re: App based stuff, and if someone steals my phone ?

      That's the least of your worries if you have your phone set up as your credit and debit cards, calendar, address book (how many telephone numbers of friends and family can't you actually remember correctly?) Then you have no access to you bank accounts, email, FB, LinkedIn etc. etc.

      Back-ups apply to phones as well as your company's 70 Terrrabyte* datastore. Of course if you back up your phone to the 'cloud' be aware that sometimes the cloud does go up in flames like a certain European data store:

      https://www.theregister.com/2021/03/15/ovh_restoration_roadmap/

      *Don't bother with the porn, that will resurrect itself organically, just saving the 20Mbytes of actual company data will do.

      1. tiggity Silver badge

        Re: App based stuff, and if someone steals my phone ?

        Don't do payments on my phone, banking etc.

        It has very little useful info on it as its mainly used for calls and texts (and the occasional game / bit of web browsing). Zero chance of it getting the NHS app - it does not have the COVID app on it (as, shock horror in these times, most of the time I do not have my mobile phone with me, only when I'm out and about without my partner do I take my mobile for emergency contact use (very rarely take it if I am expecting an important call) & usually if I am out I am out with my partner).

    2. katrinab Silver badge
      Meh

      Re: App based stuff, and if someone steals my phone ?

      I have to use TouchID to access the NHS app, so in theory, it has the same level of security as my Apple Pay credit card and banking app.

    3. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: App based stuff, and if someone steals my phone ?

      A down vote, because you've demonstrated quite well zero understanding of simple app data containerization techniques, encryption and two factor authentication.

      Why would your phone be unlocked? Akin to leaving the front door open.

      A shame I can't downvote you again...

      1. Cuddles

        Re: App based stuff, and if someone steals my phone ?

        "A down vote, because you've demonstrated quite well zero understanding of simple app data containerization techniques, encryption and two factor authentication."

        Does the NHS app actually use any of those? Whether the user understands these things is irrelevant, what matters is the developer.

  5. Eclectic Man Silver badge
    Unhappy

    Blank pages

    Just like Boris's 'oven-ready' Brexit agreement, and his fully worked out social care policy. Presumably a 'cut and paste' from one of those documents.

    They've used cut and paste before, after all:

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jan/03/brexit-freight-ferry-firm-appears-all-geared-up-to-deliver-pizzas

    If had the energy I'd despair.

    1. gandalfcn Silver badge

      Re: Blank pages

      I note the usual deniers of facts and reality downvoted you. They must escapees from Reddit.

    2. Fruit and Nutcase Silver badge

      Re: Blank pages

      They forgot to insert pictures of Boris visiting the sick and dying (not from covid), like Diana, Princess of Wales or Mother Theresa. And the rest of the space was to be filled with Union Flags

  6. Jean Le PHARMACIEN

    Here in the EU...

    Just had (tiday) my second AZ vaccine in France.

    Received my French/EU proof of vaccination at the session

    Scanned proof into my "AntiCovid" app (acts as passport)

    Downloaded my "colourful" version of paper form from my Ameli.fr (aka NHS) account onto phone, my PC and my (non Google) cloud.

    Also on my "Doctolib" appt booking account.

    Why is the UK struggling so much with this?

    (Declaration: until 2017 worked in NHS hospitals since 1986)

    1. Headley_Grange Silver badge

      Re: Here in the EU...

      I don't know if the UK is struggling. I had my vaccines and they appeared on the NHS app a few days later. I've got Covid passes on the NHS app on my phone and I've downloaded pdf copies which, like you, I've copied to cloud accounts and also printed out just in case. One thing I don't understand is that the UK passes are only valid for a month, after which they have to be downloaded again. I assume it's in case policy changes or they discover something about vaccine efficacy.

      1. W.S.Gosset

        Re: Here in the EU...

        I do hope you're not suggesting there's a disconnect between the Media's presentation and actual experienced Reality.

        1. gandalfcn Silver badge

          Re: Here in the EU...

          Shirley Knot. The Mail and Express are always 100% connected. To bs machines.

      2. gandalfcn Silver badge

        Re: Here in the EU...

        "at the session" vs "a few days later". I note the UK is struggling.

        1. Big_Baldy_Bloke

          Re: Here in the EU...

          There's no particular value in having it "on the day" compared to "a few days later" as you have to wait 14 days from 2nd vaccination to get full benefit from vaccination. It is only then (2 weeks later) that the pass is useful.

          1. Lil Endian Silver badge
            IT Angle

            Re: Here in the EU...

            Perhaps if their systems were designed by those with some knowledge of such things the Pass could be issued on the second vacc for a "better user experience", eg:

            > ALTER TABLE COVIDPass

            > ADD COLUMN ValidFrom DATE,

            > ADD COLUMN ValidUntil DATE;

            I'm not having a go at you, just saying ;)

          2. gandalfcn Silver badge

            Re: Here in the EU...

            Bless!

      3. Whiskers

        Re: Here in the EU...

        The printed "NHS COVID Pass" I received the other day after applying via the NHS web site, doesn't seem to have an expiry date.

        The barcode "Your unique reference use this to confirm your NHS COVID Pass" printed at the top of the letterhead is read by my smartphone as a meaningless 8 digit number (not resembling the long alpha-numeric code number printed below it).

        Although it shows my name address and birth date, it doesn't reveal my NHS or NI numbers.

        1. Howard Sway Silver badge
          Thumb Up

          Re: Here in the EU...

          Thanks for mentioning this Just went and applied for one, as it's bound to save some problems in the coming weeks as infection numbers rise if I can carry it with me.

          Site is at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-pass/get-your-covid-pass-letter/

          Only takes a minute.

          1. John Brown (no body) Silver badge

            Re: Here in the EU...

            Thanks for that, done!

    2. Neil Barnes Silver badge

      Re: Here in the EU...

      And yet, and yet...

      My wife and I are both pensioners, both UK citizens, both DE residents, and both with complete AZ vaccinations certified by the Robert Koch Institute app, as well as paper vaccination certificates.

      Yet the UK will not - as far as I can see - allow us to cross the border without both quarantine and mandatory covid tests.

      We can move freely within most of Europe, but to to a country of our citizenship? Time for some joined up thinking?

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: Here in the EU...

        yes, the UK is 'currently' not accepting UK citizens' vaccination other than that administered by NHS, even though the vaccine is identical. Likewise, with EU citizens, while individual EU countries have accepted UK's proof of vaccination for at least a couple of months, including paper copies. Obviously, there have been non-committal farts about accepting such proof 'at a later date'. I smell politics and it's not the smell of roses.

      2. Whiskers

        Re: Here in the EU...

        Aaah, Brexit ...

      3. iron Silver badge

        Re: Here in the EU...

        The virus doesn't care where you were born or what passport you have. By travelling you may be spreading the virus the same as anyone else, so why should you have special treatment?

        Not to mention you are resients of Germany so presumably pay taxes there, the UK doesn't owe you shit.

        1. Fruit and Nutcase Silver badge
          Trollface

          Re: Here in the EU...

          The virus doesn't care where you were born or what passport you have. By travelling you may be spreading the virus the same as anyone else, so why should you have special treatment?

          In the case of the Delta variant, Boris was desperate to go flag waving in India, so the UK kept travel open to India until it was too late.

          The price of vanity

        2. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          Re: Here in the EU...

          "Not to mention you are resients of Germany so presumably pay taxes there, the UK doesn't owe you shit."

          Post-Brexit global Britain at its finest. A proud moment for all involved. Back-stabbing their nationals because they are now deemed to be, "foreigns".

          1. gandalfcn Silver badge

            Re: Here in the EU...

            You come across as an extremely ignorant and bigoted creature. I am currently a resident of a "foreign" country but I paid taxes etc to HMG for many years, even when not resident,

            Maybe you should utilise the mental care part of the NHS.

    3. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Here in the EU...

      I'm in Spain. After having two Pfizer jabs, I logged into my region's health portal using my health card number and browser certificate (i.e. the way it's supposed to be done).

      I clicked on the "EU Covid Certificate" option on the dashboard. A message appeared saying I should wait two minutes and not refresh while the certificate was generated. Two minutes later there was a link to the PDF certificate with verifiable QR code which I could download.

      If I wanted to I could have used my region's health app which would show a screen with the same QR code, but I don't want to carry all that around with me on my phone.

      This was all ready before the go-live date of the 1st of July.

      Later on, in an interview with Sky, Grant Shapps seemed to insinuate that the EU Covid Certificate was a work in progress ("they have a digital app coming along") and the UK would recognise it in "phase two".

      Yeah, the digital app is coming along nicely, thank you.

      1. gandalfcn Silver badge

        Re: Here in the EU...

        Grant Shapps dishonest? Shirley Knott!

    4. anonanonanonanonanon

      Re: Here in the EU...

      The Swiss put their app on github. https://github.com/admin-ch

      You've got your own app that you scan the qr code from the vaccine form, another app that can check it without revealing any details apart from your name. Only valid with another form of ID.

      It's all completely separate from any other medical stuff

      Went to a nightclub a few weeks ago with it, and a festival this past weekend (Nightclubs and large events are only allowed if everyone can prove they are vaccinated)

    5. Dr_N

      Re: Here in the EU...

      Jean Le PHARMACIEN> Why is the UK struggling so much with this?

      NHS IT fails litter the roadside stretching all the way back to the Wessex Regional Health Authority scandal in the '80s. A record of wasting billions on a scheme and then pulling the plug.

      The French system isn't perfect. But stuff does get rolled out. My Carte Vitale is still working >20 YEARS after it was issued to me.

      1. Big_Baldy_Bloke

        Re: Here in the EU...

        Whatever the fails of the past I would say the It around vaccinations by NHS England has worked pretty well. I have done data entry as a CVA (COVID Vaccination Admin or words to that effect) for several thousand vaccinations, mostly at Aston Villa FC but also in other mass vaccination centres, at GP Surgeries and in a couple of hospitals. There are some inevitable frustrations - you can always come up with ways to improve any app - but overall the systems "just work". Data is keyed on NHS number and feeds back to the National Immunisation Management Service (NIMS) which is the System of Record for the NHS COVID-19 vaccination programme in England. With over 115m vaccinations to date of course there will be some errors and missing records but overall I think we can be happily surprised at how well these systems work.

    6. iron Silver badge

      Re: Here in the EU...

      Why did you only get your second vaccine today? I had mine weeks ago, all you have to do is arrange two apppointments for everyone. Why is the EU struggling so much with this? Could it be because you failed at ordering your vaccines?

      Also there is no UK when it comes to NHS and health, this article is about NHS England, something you should really have known if you worked there.

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: Here in the EU...

        Firstly you don't know what age range the poster is.

        Secondly why do you assume France is representitive of all EU countries when it isn't (Spain for example is surge vaccinating 18-29 year olds).

        Third check how many vaccines are being given in the UK. With only ≈ 52% of the UK population fully vaccinated, the vaccination rate has suddenly dropped and the government announced herd immunity via contagion for the rest.

        Did the British government put all their eggs in one basket and now AZ can't deliver the goods?

    7. John Brown (no body) Silver badge

      Re: Here in the EU...

      "Why is the UK struggling so much with this?"

      In short, because "ID cards".

      In long, anyone who want's proof can get it, but since it's not mandatory, it's left up to the individual to decide if they want it rather than offering at the point of injection.

      Personally, I agree with what you describe, it should at least be offered at the time of injection and not left for people to find that eventually they may find they are refused entry somewhere and only then go get the proof/certificate/whatever. We're already seeing stories in the news of people who took part in trials being refused flights to some countries because the trial vaccines they got are not approved yet, or, in one case at least, people who had a batch of Astra Zenica made in India being refused a flight to Malta because it wasn't on the approved list in Malta (I think that one has been sorted now)

  7. Dr Gerard Bulger

    I had my first jab in England, where I work, then the second jab (A-Z) was in Scotland where I was working when it was due

    According to the National Health Service app I have only had one jab, as the nations systems cannot talk to each other. The English Covid jab recoding system as linked to payment, so as there i nobody in England to pay there is no mechanism to add my record.

    The Scottish system cannot enol me as i am not resident in Scotland.

    So I can never have a Covid passport....

    1. johnfbw

      I was a similar situation, but emigrated a little further.

      Luckily the German doctors decided to 'fake' my first vaccination on the same day so I got my certificate.

      Of course now both the NHS and the German vaccination centre now tell me I have pending appointments for a 2nd and 3rd final jab!

    2. Crepusculous

      This any help?

      https://www.nhsinform.scot/covid19status

      I'm in Scotland and had both jags here. I could 'recover' my username by putting in the date of my first jag. I then reset the password. I have no recollection of being previously registered (but it's possible). Anyway, thought it might help if it does show any jag received in Scotland as stated!

      1. Robert Carnegie Silver badge

        The blue appointment letter from NHS Scotland comes with a user name and possibly an initial password, well mine did, so you would be pre set up that far. I set myself a decently cryptic password but it may matter less for this function - I wouldn't like someone to steal my vaccinations though.

      2. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Crepusculous> I'm in Scotland and had both jags here.

        You are John Prescott and I claim my £5.

        1. Lil Endian Silver badge
          Coat

          Bah! You got the fiver!

          My instant reaction was to read the post in Jezza's voice!

          [Mine's the one with the Dinky XJS in the pocket...]

      3. This post has been deleted by its author

    3. This post has been deleted by its author

    4. Boris the Cockroach Silver badge
      FAIL

      Dont worry

      I had my first back in feb

      Then in may just before the 2nd was due , got messages from the NHS demanding I had my first....

      Gave in after checking with GP they were'nt fake, booked a 'first' and got my 2nd

      People at clinic (the same one as first) had no record of me having the jab... until I showed them the appointment sent to my phone and the card they gave me at the first.... then they went "Another missing record" updated everything and jabbed me

      If NHS england cant even record a simple jab , you've got no hope of NHS scotland even thinking of talking to NHS england.

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: Dont worry

        We had a related issue with 96 y.o. granny. She was given a date for #2 on the occasion of #1 but when no text/email/postal reminder came we checked and found the GP wasn't expecting her on that date (they fitted her in a couple of days later). She was one of the early recipients of the jab so, to be fair, the focus was on getting as many jabs done as the logistics allowed and the clinic was pandemonium, a long queue of zimmering geriatrics needing to take off 10 layers of woolly to expose and arm. I guess someone was distracted (quite likely as she tries to hug everyone and engage them in conversation) and didn't update the diary. There is such a thing as human error, even I made a mistake once! I remember it well: 18 Aug 1986 but I divorced her.

        1. John Brown (no body) Silver badge

          Re: Dont worry

          Similar happened with my wife. In her case though, she was booked twice for her second jab and got a letter cancelling it. She didn't know that both the GP and NHS England had her booked for the second jab and their systems had eventually identified the discrepancy. NHS England sent a letter cancelling her appointment with them a few days before it was due (both were for the same day) but didn't explain why. So she stayed home assuming the only appointment she was aware of was the one being cancelled. Luckily, my second one was on the same day somewhere else so I'd booked a day off to cope with getting us both to both of our appointments, so when the GP phoned up asking why she'd not turned up, I was able to drive her up there within 10 minutes of the call.

    5. gandalfcn Silver badge

      The joys of Brexit and the break uo of the UK.

      1. Neil Barnes Silver badge

        DON'T mention Brexit!

        I did it once, but I think I got away with it!

      2. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Well... in the 52-48% alternative reality where Brexit didn't happen, do you think all the nations in the UK would have been ready to generate EU Covid vaccination/PCR test/recovery certificates on the 1st of July?

        1. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          I find your lack of faith in Bojo/Dido/Mancock disturbing.

    6. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      re. So I can never have a Covid passport....

      be a sport, get a 3rd jab!

    7. iron Silver badge

      Two seperate health services in two seperate countries. Why did you think they would be connected?

      Something smells about your claims. If you are not resident in Scotland how did you get a vaccine here? Our system relies on sending letters to residents with vaccine appointments, so did you turn up at a vaccination centre and jump the queue?

      1. Beornfrith

        I had my first jag in February and my second the requisite amount of time later. Never received a letter; had my jags as a result of my line of work. My fiancé never received a letter and got her first jag months later after arranging it directly with our GP.

        That might just be NHS Highland for you, though...

  8. John Robson Silver badge

    Only half empty

    That’s more content than they normally release.

    1. gandalfcn Silver badge

      Re: Only half empty

      Come on. Thay are normally full. Of sh!te.

  9. W.S.Gosset

    7 pages of Content out of 16?

    *pfft* Lightweights.

    Now, in AUSTRALIA, our Queensland gummint managed to squeeze that down to only 3 pages of content in similar (same?) length document. In that case a demand to the Federal gummint for various zillions for a new-build quarantine site. And boy did they scream when Canberra insisted on perhaps a bit more information and analysis.

    1. gandalfcn Silver badge

      Re: 7 pages of Content out of 16?

      Is that the same Queensland gummint that denies AGW?

      1. Lil Endian Silver badge

        AGW?

        They denied you an All Girl Weekend?!

        Waddabitch!

        [FYI: I didn't downvote.]

      2. W.S.Gosset
        FAIL

        Re: Is that the same Queensland gummint that denies AGW?

        You really are completely delusional, aren't you? Not just this -- I saw some other posts from you too.

        The Qld govt is all-in on enthusiastic global warmism, blaming it for almost everything and trumpeting The Good Fight against coal etc. It's all-in on anything declared Virtuous by activists.

        Whatever toy-town information-sources you're relying on, I'd suggest ditching them and seeking reality.

        Or keeping them and seeking a job with the Qld gummint -- you'd fit right in. As per all our (Oz) State gummints (Fed has ~0 internal powers), they've thrown rationality out the window and leapt aboard the Covid PHEAAAARRRR political tool. Examples just in ~ the last week: our CHO and imminent Governor declared no young person should risk death by evil Tory/LNP vaccine if they weren't already dead by Covid. You'd love her! She thinks just like you!

        And, even more stunningly, and the reason why your own lunatic disconnect-from-reality/opposite-of-reality reminded me: our Premier declared that every Qlder in the current Sydney outbreak zone should rush back to Qld before she closed the borders. Or to put it another way, she has no idea how viruses spread and so frantically urged and demanded that potentially-infected people spread it to Qld. Because Safety! Run from the Phear! Do exactly the opposite of sane! You'd get on great with her. Two peas in a pod.

        Now, given the actual risk: rat's arse. But O Jesus! Here comes yet another panic-stricken lockdown. Pointless yet damaging Virtue Theatre. I'll bet anyone $1,000 we have "outbreak!" here in Brisbane in the next few days from people who have rushed up from Sydney. Oh god the hysteria the pheeeeaaaaaarrrrr our gummint will scweam

        "Amusingly" we have around 5 or 6 known community-transmission zones in Qld off and silently running anyway, based on wastewater testing.

        1. W.S.Gosset
          Facepalm

          OT: "I'll bet anyone $1,000"

          Well, shit. Timing.

          3 new cases announced today: 2 from Sydney who rushed home as per Premier's insane plea; 1 from 10min walk over the hill from one of the inner city suburbs known-by-wastewater infected. Can I pick it or what.

          Mercifully Hyacinth Palashay held off on actual lockdown. Maybe she forgot to panic this time.

          On the upside, $1,000!

          ... Anyone?

  10. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    "Comrades, we must know everything" [Erich Mielke]

    What else will the your Internal Passport 'Vaccine Certification' App contain?

    your inside leg measurement?

    your last 20 years' voting habits?

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stasi.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: "Comrades, we must know everything" [Erich Mielke]

      This CAnon Cpost is half-baked.

  11. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    two title pages, a back page, four blank pages and a contents page

    There is? A contents page.

  12. gryphon

    Vaccine Trials

    Looks like NHS in England can already supply status if you have been on a vaccine trial like I was for Novavax.

    Scotland, not even mentioned.

    And of course they want to send you your certification by letter with 1st class post within 14 days.

    Fine for people who don't have printers I supposed.

    But big disclaimers about asking for it well in advance of foreign travel.

    14 days? Are they validating this all manually then hand typing the letter, sticking it in an envelope and then hunting for a stamp? Or do they have 1 guy going in once a week to pick up all the envelopes that the automated printing system has stuffed and put them in the post.

    Here's a thought Scottish Govt. Talk nicely to the DVLA who have all the front-end stuff to do validation on your driving license etc. down pat, generate a PDF AND let other people check it is valid and maybe they'll give you a hand.

  13. Lil Endian Silver badge

    This Page Intentionally Left Blank

    I always smirked at the irony of Ops manuals (etc) stating "This Page Intentionally Left Blank".

    I think it was a favourite of our Left Pondian brothers and sisters. Is it still a thing, it's been a while?

    1. yetanotheraoc Silver badge

      Re: This Page Intentionally Left Blank

      Still a thing where I work. To be fair, the page is _mostly_ blank.

  14. H in The Hague

    From your correspondent in NL

    The Dutch app seems to be working OK.

    You can also go to https://coronacheck.nl/en/ and print a QR code (for use in NL or for international travel) based on being vaccinated, having recovered from Covid, or having a recent negative test. Or you can call them and they'll send you a QR code in the post. The QR codes can be verified by an app: https://coronacheck.nl/en/scanner

    The QR code for use in NL is accompanied by human-readable info: your initials, and your day and month (but not year) of birth, so a venue can check your ID and verify that the QR code matches you, but the QR code or printed certificate does not reveal any further info. The QR code for international travel is linked to more details about your vaccination, etc.

    So far, so good. What's not so good is that you used to get the QR code immediately after your second vaccination (or first, for the Jansen vaccine). But it takes two week to develop protection. That and some other issues have unfortunately led to a Covid surge, primarily among young people going clubbing, or coming back from holidays with an unwanted viral souvenir :(. Fortunately that's not really putting people in hospital - so far. The PM and Minister for Health have issued a grovelling apology and are right now being grilled in Parliament about relaxing the measures too far.

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