Covid ID cards will be given to everyone who has the vaccine - what they are for

Those who receive the Covid-19 vaccine could expect to receive a vaccination ID card, official images suggest.

The pictures show the card to be more of a reminder, as ministers have stated that people will not need “Covid passports”.

Vaccine reminder

The small card, about the side of a credit card, sports NHS branding and has two blocks where information of the first dose and the second dose will need to be entered.

The other side reads: “Don’t forget your Covid-19 vaccination. Make sure you keep this record card in your purse or wallet.

It appears that the card will act more as a reminder for patients to complete the two step vaccination process.

Covid-19 vaccination card issued in Wales

Welsh Health minister Vaughan Gething explained that those who receive the vaccine will be issued with a card which details the vaccine name, date of immunisation and batch number of each of the doses given.

He said, “These will act as a reminder for a second dose and for the type of vaccine, and it will also give information about how to report side effects.”

Speaking about the vaccine rollout in Wales, Gething said, “People will be sent appointments with details of the location where they will receive the vaccination, dependent on where they are on the schedule and risk.

“There will be no need to apply for or ask GPs or pharmacists for the vaccination, as invitation will be done automatically.”

‘No plans for vaccine passports’

Speaking to Sky News, Cabinet Officer minister Michael Gove said, “No, that’s not being planned… I certainly am not planning to introduce any vaccine passports and I don’t know anyone else in government who is.”

However, UK health minister Nadhim Zahawi, who is in charge of the vaccine roll out, has said that proof of vaccination could be helpful for industries, such as hospitality.

Talking to the BBC, Zahawi said, “We are looking at the technology… But, also, I think you’ll probably find that restaurants and bars and cinemas and other venues, sports venues, will probably also use that system.”

Professor Deborah Dunn-Walters, professor of immunology at the University of Surrey, has said that the government will need to get more information in regards to the exact amount of protection the vaccine offers before being able to utilise potential vaccine passports.

She said, “For example, how long would vaccination provide protection against contracting Covid-19? Would vaccination stop you from transmitting the illness as well as preventing you getting sick?

“These are just a couple of the questions that will need to be answered, on top of the ethical considerations, before we can start to consider the possibility of vaccine passports.”