UK residents vaccinated abroad or in Northern Ireland can now use England’s NHS Covid Pass if they have received two doses of an approved vaccine against the Covid-19. In other words, the people eligible will also be able to arrange a so-called booster in England.

Until recently, only those who got a jab in England, Wales, Scotland or the Isle of Man could use the pass to prove their vaccination status. From this Wednesday people in England need to be in possession of their Covid pass in order to enter nightclubs and other large venues. The four vaccines approved by the UK’s medicines regulator are Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna and Janssen.

In order to register an overseas vaccination, it is necessary to book an appointment at a selected list of vaccination centres in England. Details will then be recorded in the National Immunisation Management System.

The government reassured that International Covid certification accepted at the UK border is also accepted at events and venues in England. Until now, numerous people expressed their frustration that they could not previously use the NHS Covid Pass. 

According to government guidance, if someone is registered with a GP in England and was vaccinated in Wales, Scotland or the Isle of Man, this person does not need to book an appointment at a vaccination centre to record the jabs. 

Under new rules, people residing in England will need to use the NHS Covid Pass to gain entry to nightclubs, indoor unseated venues with more than 500 people, unseated outdoor venues with more than 4,000 people and any venue with more than 10,000 people.

People who are not fully vaccinated or cannot use the Covid pass will be able to show proof of a recent negative test or recovery from a Covid infection in the past six months instead.

Author: Sébastien Meuwissen

Photo: Unsplash