People who need to provide proof of their vaccination status for international travel or to attend events, for instance football matches or concerts in the UK, will have two options to get their Covid-19 vaccine certificate.

This comes following recent criticism from island residents who have been experiencing difficulties attempting to travel abroad under the existing framework.

Countries such as Malta are not accepting the island’s current proof of vaccination letters.

The Department of Health and Social Care in the Isle of Man has worked with DHSC colleagues in the UK to provide island residents access to a digital or paper copy of their NHS Covid Pass in a safe, secure and internationally-recognised format.

Residents can now have access to the NHS Covid Pass website.

Once logged in, they will be able to view and download a specific digital UK NHS Covid Pass, or print it as a PDF document.

The digital Covid Pass provides a QR code, which is internationally recognised as proof of vaccination status, based on information shared by Manx Care with the UK NHS.

The system will allow the island’s residents to view their Covid Pass on their phones until the official NHS App is fully launched.

The DHSC stated that it is continuing to work with NHS partners in the UK to develop the next stage in the programme - access for Isle of Man residents to the Covid Pass on the NHS App.

This current placeholder measure, the web-based NHS Covid Pass service, requires individuals to set up their own unique NHS login at: covid-status.service.nhsx.nhs.uk/

Manx residents are encouraged to register if they haven’t done so already, noting that login registrations may be delayed when demand is high, and people should register at least two weeks before they wish to use the pass.

A valid email account and a mobile phone are required to set up a login, and the process includes steps to confirm an individual’s identity and ensure the security of personal data.

Alternatively, a paper copy vaccination certificate will be available via the UK NHS customer contact centre, which will be open to callers from the Isle of Man on a Freephone number, 0808 1624119.

Manx residents using this service will be able to request a paper certificate of their vaccination status - an NHS Covid post vaccination letter - to be sent through the post, and should receive it within five working days.

The UK NHS Freephone call centre option is for those who are unable to access the digital pass for urgent travel.

The digital pass and paper certificate will show that an individual has been vaccinated against Covid-19. Residents will still need to check the entry requirements of the country they intend to visit, such as testing and isolation on arrival and further evidence of vaccines and doses. Travellers will also need to follow rules such as pre-departure testing.

If the UK NHS is unable to generate a Covid Pass for an Isle of Man resident based on available vaccination data, the resident will be contacted by email, letter, phone or SMS text message, in line with contact details held on their GP record, giving the reason.

The message will also sign-post residents to the further assistance available.

Manx residents are still not able to certify their vaccination status via the NHS app, this access is still ’under development’.

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