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Original poster

Covid Pass vs NHS App

19 replies

Mumdiva99 · 25/08/2021 22:49

Hi all you knowledgeable Mumsnetters.

Can anyone enlighten me on why I need to have both the NHS app which show my vaccination status - and then also have to apply for an NHS Covid Pass (which means sharing my data with another group of people).

What is the difference between the two things? Why do I need a Covid Pass as well?

Many thanks in advance.

OP posts:
Cookerhood · 25/08/2021 22:50

The Covid pass is on your NHS app so I'm not quite sure what you mean?

Original poster
Mumdiva99 · 25/08/2021 23:18

It's not yet....I have an option 'Get your COVID Pass - view and share your Covid Pass for places in England that have chosen to use this service or for travel abroad' - when I click on that it asks me to agree to share my data with 'NHS Covid Pass' This service is provided by the Department of Health and Social Care and will use your NHS Number, Date of Birth, Phone number etc etc....

But if I don't want to share all that data I can click on 'Check your Covid 19 vaccine record' and it shows me the 2 doses of vaccine, with date and batch number.....

So why is the Covid Pass any better than just showing my Vaccine record?

OP posts:
Cookerhood · 26/08/2021 07:41

No idea! Maybe if people need the QR code? Why don't you want to share your data with them?

Original poster
Mumdiva99 · 27/08/2021 00:28

Just curious why if I have the information needed....e.g. all the dates, batch numbers etc for both vaccines - why do I have to do something else.... I was nervous enough signing up to NHS on my phone.....I just worry what the data is being used for and who else it is being shared with....

OP posts:
StressedPest · 27/08/2021 04:57

Oh Ffs 🙄

Watapalava · 27/08/2021 07:23

Because the covid pass is a QR code that can be scanned

Name12341 · 27/08/2021 07:44

The department of health and social care is still a part of the NHS, they won't have access to any of your other medical records either, all non anonymous medical data is only allowed to be accessed on a need to view basis eg a doctor can access it if necessary for your treatment. Otherwise it is gross misconduct and staff would lose their job, this applies to nurses/doctors etc too.
It's just because of data protection laws that they need your permission to give any data needed for you to use another NHS service.

Bryonyshcmyony · 27/08/2021 07:47

I don't have any worries about data but agree the NHS app Covid pass is clunky and un user friendly. It should be really simple, bright and colourful and be easy for even complete numpties to use, basically a big button on your phone thst you click and up comes info.

Name12341 · 27/08/2021 07:49

Also the reason for the covid pass rather than just your vaccine record is that it's much harder for someone to get access to a fake QR code (a person would need someone elses permission or at least access to someone elses login to use their code) whereas if places were just asking for a record it is easy to get a faked page listing vaccine dates on a copy of the NHS app background.

Original poster
Mumdiva99 · 27/08/2021 09:25

@StressedPest

Oh Ffs 🙄
Sorry I don't understand the point of the comment?
OP posts:
Original poster
Mumdiva99 · 27/08/2021 09:26

@Name12341

The department of health and social care is still a part of the NHS, they won't have access to any of your other medical records either, all non anonymous medical data is only allowed to be accessed on a need to view basis eg a doctor can access it if necessary for your treatment. Otherwise it is gross misconduct and staff would lose their job, this applies to nurses/doctors etc too. It's just because of data protection laws that they need your permission to give any data needed for you to use another NHS service.
I was just suprised if it is still NHS I have to give separate permission. But thanks.
OP posts:
Original poster
Mumdiva99 · 27/08/2021 09:27

@Name12341

Also the reason for the covid pass rather than just your vaccine record is that it's much harder for someone to get access to a fake QR code (a person would need someone elses permission or at least access to someone elses login to use their code) whereas if places were just asking for a record it is easy to get a faked page listing vaccine dates on a copy of the NHS app background.
Thanks. That makes sense....although surely a screen shot of the QR code can just be shared around too....
OP posts:
Bryonyshcmyony · 27/08/2021 09:27

And permission every single time you use it... It takes four clicks to get the info you need, that's three too many!

GotLittup · 27/08/2021 09:27

Its also because if you test positive you aren't able to generate a covid pass QR code for a period of times (10 days?) - so just using the proof that you've had your vaccine isn't sufficient for venues to let you in (in theory...)

Original poster
Mumdiva99 · 27/08/2021 09:28

@Bryonyshcmyony

I don't have any worries about data but agree the NHS app Covid pass is clunky and un user friendly. It should be really simple, bright and colourful and be easy for even complete numpties to use, basically a big button on your phone thst you click and up comes info.
Agree....if only to stop queries like mine.....

(Although as I was going to the theatre and they just needed proof of vaccination I jist took my vaccination card with me...and then they didn't ask).

OP posts:
Cookerhood · 27/08/2021 10:54

Your vaccination card isn't proof - anyone could pick it up off the floor if you dropped it, or help themselves to a pile of them at a vaccination centre. It's more of a "souvenir"!

Original poster
Mumdiva99 · 27/08/2021 15:35

If you picked up a pile of vaccination cards at a centre they wouldn't have the barcode from any vaccines stick on them.....

Yes the card can be stolen or lost.

OP posts:
Cookerhood · 27/08/2021 15:55

@Mumdiva99

If you picked up a pile of vaccination cards at a centre they wouldn't have the barcode from any vaccines stick on them.....

Yes the card can be stolen or lost.

Ours are just hand written with the name of the vaccine, the batch & the date, no stickers (when I say "ours", I mean the mass vaccination site that I work at).
Watapalava · 27/08/2021 16:59

The nhs QR code updates so itsnt valid indefinitely

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