What is the digital Corona vaccination certificate?
With the digital “Corona vaccination certificate” you prove that you currently have a complete vaccination protection against Sars-CoV-2. Via an individual QR code that can be called up on your smartphone, you can use the new vaccination certificate to quickly and easily show the vaccination certificate when traveling and, if necessary, before events or other activities.
Will people who have recovered and been tested also use the detection apps?
Yes. Negative Corona tests can also be stored in the CovPass app, the Corona warning app and the Luca app as a “test certificate” or also “convalescent certificate”. However, this only applies to those that have been performed by an official body.
This includes PCR or antigen tests performed by a test center or a certified laboratory. Self-tests for personal use do not count.
No. The digital vaccination certificate is a voluntary offer that is intended as an uncomplicated alternative to the presentation of the yellow vaccination certificate or the written status certificate from the health office as “recovered”. However, these still retain their validity. In addition, it is possible to show only the printout of the QR code.
When will the digital vaccination certificate be available?
How do I get the certificate?
In the future, you will receive the QR code you need for the digital proof of vaccination directly as a printout at the vaccination center or from your vaccinating physician. You then scan the code with your smartphone and upload it via an appropriate app (CovPass app, Corona warning app, Luca app).
Keep the QR codes you have been given so that you can scan them again if necessary (for example, if you change your cell phone).
Those who have already been vaccinated will receive the code by mail in the next few weeks in many German states from the vaccination center where they were vaccinated. Those who have been vaccinated at the doctor’s office can also have the code issued at certified doctors, hospitals and pharmacies upon presentation of the vaccination certificate.
How does the digital vaccination certificate work?
A special QR code then appears in your app, which the inspectors scan with a corresponding device – similar to the ticket inspection on the train. The code then shows in red or green whether the proof is valid. Your name and date of birth are also visible – so that you can check whether you are actually the owner of the certificate.
How secure is my data in the digital vaccination certificate?
The vaccination certificate only contains information on the time of the vaccinations, the vaccine administered, and your name and date of birth. The latter are necessary to match your identity with the presented certificate via photo ID.
Criticism: parallel structure and concern about data protection
The World Health Organization (WHO) is cautious about the European Commission’s plans. It considers the EU-wide digital vaccination certificate to be a solo effort by the European Union.
There are also data protection concerns from various sides, since not only doctors or authorities are to have access to the health data, but private third parties could also have access, for example – such as the reception of a hotel, your travel agent or possibly the concert organizer.
Is a Europe-wide regulation planned?
A Europe-wide document – also called a “digital green certificate” – will then be valid in all states of the European Union, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland. Via an interface provided by the EU, the digital proof of vaccination can thus be checked by all member states as required.
However, it is up to each member state to decide how this regulation will be further developed.
Is a central vaccination register planned?
No. The data will not be stored centrally.
Are other vaccinations also listed?
Author & source information
This text corresponds to the specifications of the medical literature, medical guidelines and current studies and has been reviewed by medical experts.
