The NHS Covid pass can now be used by 13-15-year-olds through the NHS app, and 12-year-olds can now access it through a web browser in line with Apple’s App Store age policy.
The digital vaccine passport is used to prove vaccination status and proof of recent infection and came into effect on 3rd February 2022. This makes international travel for young people much easier as many countries require children aged 12 and over from overseas to be fully vaccinated.
Before this, proof of vaccination for young people was only available in paper form, with parents forced to apply online or via the NHS hotline, which has resulted in severe delays. Children also had no way of obtaining proof of recent coronavirus infection.
Under the new system, teenagers aged 13 to 15-year-old can access the pass in the same way adults can.
How Do I Get a Pass?
You can create a pass by making an NHS account then downloading and logging on to the NHS App. Here, proof of vaccination status and prior infection can be downloaded or displayed. Children can do this themselves or a parent or guardian can register on their behalf.
Verification of identity for the account can take any time between 24 hours and a few days, so it’s a good idea to register in advance of travelling.
For children aged 12, the process is a little different. Due to Apple’s App Store policy, which states that users must be at least 13 to create an account and use App Store services, 12-year-olds are barred from using the app and must use their NHS account to visit the online NHS Covid Pass service through a web browser in order to display proof of vaccination status and prior infection.
