Vaccine passports: 10 states with digital credentials & 20 states with bans

As vaccine mandates emerge nationwide, 10 states have provided a digital solution for storing proof of vaccination. Meanwhile, 21 states have prohibited their use in some way.

Editor's Note: This webpage was updated Sept. 17 and will continue to be updated.

Ten states with vaccine passports: 

1. California unveiled a digital COVID-19 vaccine record June 11, according to an Aug. 31 MIT Technology Review report. Proof of vaccination will be required from any in-person event with more than 1,000 attendees, as well as for indoor leisure spaces.

2. Colorado is allowing residents to create digital records of their vaccine cards on a state app, Technology Review reported.

3. Hawaii requires those traveling to the state to upload proof of vaccination into the states' vaccine records database, Technology Review reported.

4. Illinois unveiled the digital vaccine credential "VaxPass," where attendees of large events may be required to verify their vaccine status.

5. Louisiana residents are able to show digital proof of vaccination with the LA Wallet app, though it is not required, Technology Review reported.

6. Michigan unveiled the Michigan Immunization Portal, which shows all vaccinations of people age 18 and older, ABC 12 reported. Residents can search for their records, download, save or print their information. COVID-19 vaccines administered in another state will not show up.

7. Minnesota released its Docket App allowing residents with a Minnesota immunization information connection record to view or share their immunization records.

8. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy unveiled the Docket phone app in July, allowing residents to store a vaccine record, Technology Review reported.

9. New York launched the Excelsior Pass in nearly a dozen languages. Beginning Sept. 13, New York City required proof of vaccination for select indoor leisure activities.

10. Virginia developed a tool that allows businesses to scan a QR code to verify COVID-19 vaccination status, according to ABC 8 News. The tool will be an alternative to an existing portal that allows residents to print out a PDF confirming their vaccination status.

Twenty states that ban vaccine passports:

1. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill May 24 banning digital vaccine credentials, Technology Review reported. 

2. Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy issued an administrative order April 26 prohibiting Executive Branch departments, agencies, officials, state entities, and the public from requiring any person to produce their personal vaccine history in order to travel to or around Alaska, the National Academy for State Health Policy reported.

3. Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed a law April 20 that prevented state or local governments from requiring a COVID-19 vaccine or proof of vaccination, Technology Review reported. 

4. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey inked a bill June 30 prohibiting the establishment of a vaccine passport, the National Academy for State Health Policy reported.

5. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is banning vaccine passports and fining any public or private entity $5,000 for every violation of requiring proof of vaccination, News 4 Jax reported. The law, which went into effect Sept. 16, will give any offender 30 days to pay the fine.

6. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed an executive order May 25 banning vaccine proof in state governments, Technology Review reported. Vaccine passports will not be required for entry into the state.

7. Idaho Gov. Brad Little inked an executive order prohibiting the state government from requiring digital vaccine credentials, Technology Review reported.

8. Indiana banned state or local governments from issuing or requiring vaccine certification April 2,2 Technology Review reported.

9. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a law May 20 that prevents state and local governments from including an individual's vaccine status on a government-issued ID card, Technology Review reported. It also withholds grants and contracts from local governments or businesses that require customers to provide evidence they are vaccinated. 

10. Kansas approved a law May 7 that bans vaccine certifications, Technology Review reported. The law also restricts state agencies from issuing a vaccine passport to individuals without consent or requiring a vaccine passport within the state.

11. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson approved provisions in a June bill that aimed to ban vaccine certification systems, Technology Review reported. It also restricted local governments that receive public funds from requiring proof of vaccination to access services.

12. Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte signed an executive order April 13 that bans state-sponsored development or the required use of vaccine credentials, Technology Review reported.

13. New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu signed a law July 25 that blocks government agencies from mandating vaccines or requiring vaccine credentials to access services or buildings, Technology Review reported.

14. North Dakota lawmakers banned state and local governments and businesses from requiring vaccine credentials for access or service, Technology Review reported. The law has some exceptions.

15. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed an executive order May 28 banning state agencies from requiring proof of vaccination to enter public buildings, Technology Review reported.

16. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster signed a May 11 executive order preventing state agencies, local governments and state employees from requiring vaccine credentials, Technology Review reported.

17. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem inked an executive order April 21 that banned the development or use of vaccine passports, Technology Review reported.

18. Tennessee banned vaccine passports May 26, Technology Review reported.

19. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill June 7 prohibiting any entity from requiring proof of vaccinations within the state, Technology Review reported.

20. Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon said in a May 7 directive that state agencies, boards and commissions cannot require people to show vaccine credentials to access public spaces or services, Technology Review reported.

 

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