Here's how California's new digital vaccine 'verification system' works

The vaccine verification system announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom late last week is now being rolled out in the state of California, which officials emphasized is not akin to a “vaccine passport.”

The Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record, which Californians can register for through the California Department of Public Health’s website, is intended to be an online version of the vaccine card received upon getting inoculated for COVID-19.

“While CDPH recommends that vaccinated Californians keep their paper CDC card in a safe and secure place, we recognize that some people might prefer an electronic version,” said California State Epidemiologist Dr. Erica Pan in a press release. “And if one of the state’s nearly 20 million vaccinated Californians misplaces their paper card, the Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record provides a convenient backup.”

In order to obtain the digital card, individuals must provide their name, date of birth, a cell phone number or email used to register for the vaccine and a PIN code. Once that process is completed, registrants will receive the COVID-19 vaccination information listed on their paper proof of vaccination — and a scannable QR code to prove that the vaccine record is authentic.

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