Covid-19 vaccination – NHS Covid Pass

The NHS COVID Pass shows your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination details or test results. This is your COVID-19 status. You may be asked to show your pass to travel abroad, or at events and venues in England asking for proof of your COVID-19 status.

Please note:

The NHS COVID Pass is regularly updated so
please visit the NHS website for further updates

NHS COVID Pass

Vaccinations

Covid-19 vaccination

Covid-19 vaccination FAQs

Flu vaccination

Who can get an NHS COVID Pass in England?

If you’re aged 18 or over, you can get an NHS COVID Pass for domestic venues and events.

If you’re aged 12 or over, you can get an NHS COVID Pass for travel abroad but you should follow the entry requirements of the country you are travelling to.

For travel abroad

You can obtain your NHS COVID Pass after receiving either:

  • two doses of the Moderna, AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccine
  • one dose of the Janssen vaccine
  • proof of natural immunity shown by a positive PCR test result for COVID-19, lasting for 180 days after the date of the positive test and following completion of the self-isolation period

You must have been vaccinated in England.

You can usually obtain your NHS COVID Pass within 24 hours of having your vaccination. However, it can take up to 5 days for your records to be updated.

For domestic use

For domestic purposes, those 18 and over can obtain an NHS COVID Pass if one of the following applies:

  • two weeks after completing a full course of vaccination, whether that requires two doses or one dose (that is, two doses of the Moderna, AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccine, or one dose of the Janssen vaccine) (according to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency authorised schedule).
  • with evidence of a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or rapid lateral flow test taken within 48 hours of entry to a venue, with both at-home and on-site (where available) being accepted. A lateral flow test taken at home will need to be reported into the public reporting system
  • proof of natural immunity shown by a positive PCR test result for COVID-19, lasting for 180 days from the date of the positive test and following completion of the self-isolation period

You must have been vaccinated in England.

If you have any of your Covid-19 vaccinations outside of England they will not be used to create an NHS Covid Pass. We are awaiting further updates to see if this will be possible in the future from the national team.

COVID-19 status for children

If you’re aged 12 or over, you can get a digital NHS COVID Pass for travel.

If you’re 18 or over, you can also use your digital NHS COVID Pass for domestic events and venues. People under 18 do not have to show proof of their COVID-19 status for domestic events or venues in England.

You should check that the name on your passport matches how it is displayed by NHS COVID Pass at least 2 weeks before you travel. If the names are different, contact your GP practice to have your details updated. Please note, however, that the NHS App will only show your first and last names even if you have any middle names registered at your practice.

How to get your NHS COVID Pass

There are a number of different ways to get your COVID Pass.

Get a digital version

You can get a digital version using the NHS App or NHS website. You can download it as a PDF or get it sent to you in an email.

You can get a digital version by:

You will need an NHS login to use these services. You’ll be asked to create one if you do not have an NHS login already.

How long are digital versions valid for?

If you’ve had:

  • the Moderna, AstraZeneca, Pfizer or Janssen vaccine – your pass lasts for 30 days, but the 30-day period refreshes every time you log in
  • a negative PCR test or rapid lateral flow test – your pass is valid for 48 hours after a negative result
  • a positive PCR test – your pass lasts 30 days, but the 30-day period refreshes every time you log in (for up to 180 days after you took the test).

If you download your COVID Pass as a PDF, always check the expiry date before using it.

If you’re fully vaccinated or had a positive test result, the barcode on a PDF is valid for 30 days.

Get a paper version (vaccination status only)

You can get an NHS COVID Pass letter sent to you in the post.

  • 5 days after you’ve been fully vaccinated against COVID-19
  • valid for 2 weeks after your final vaccination.

You can get a letter by:

Protecting your data

When you access your NHS COVID Pass via the NHS App, or directly via the NHS website, you will use NHS login. NHS login has advanced security features to protect you and minimise any risk of fraud.

Your COVID Pass only shows your vaccination record or test results, and no other personal health records.

Vaccinated as part of Clinical Trial in England

  • If you were vaccinated as part of an official clinical trial in England, you should have received a letter confirming this. The letter explains that your COVID-19 status is “fully vaccinated”.
  • If you have not received a letter, contact your clinical trial site.
  • You can also get an NHS COVID Pass showing your vaccination status for domestic events using the NHS App or the online NHS COVID Pass service. You’ll be able to get a digital COVID Pass for travel abroad soon.

Proxy Access for Children – Key Points

Children aged 12 or over, can get a digital NHS COVID Pass for travel.

You can:

Parents may wish to link their Patient Access or NHS App account to their child. They will be able to order prescriptions, manage appointments and see allergy information for their child. They will not be able to view the COVID Pass information for their child as it is not held at the practice. If a carer is given access to a child’s test results, they will be able to see COVID PCR test information but not any lateral flow test results which may have been submitted on the government page for the child.

How to get proxy access

When your child is under 12 you can request proxy access from your GP practice. This usually requires you to complete a form. This is the same form for anyone you care for.

When a child is 12, they can still grant a carer proxy access but they will need to give their consent on the form. From this age a child can have their own account to access but they will need to contact their surgery to be declared competent to manage such information. From the age of 16 anyone can get have their own account with the NHS App or Patient Access. Typically, when the child turns 16, the proxy access will be discontinued.