Vaccine records with QR code now required in Alberta

Previous vaccine records will no longer be accepted from this week

Vaccine records with QR code now required in Alberta

Alberta requires citizens to obtain a new vaccine certificate that has a quick response (QR) code in it - or they’ll not be granted entry into select businesses. Starting this week, Alberta businesses implementing the province's Restrictions Exemptions Programme will only accept vaccine records with a QR code. According to Health Minister Jason Copping, it’s a more secure measure that’ll make it easier for Albertans to safely take part in daily activities.

Previous records, including those from vaccine providers and MyHealth Records, will no longer be accepted as proof of vaccinations. To obtain the latest record with a QR code, citizens may head over to alberta.ca/CovidRecords where they need to enter their month and year of vaccination, Personal Health Number, and date of birth. The record can be printed or saved on your phone by taking a screenshot or downloading it. Businesses will be using the AB Covid Records Verifier app to confirm the vaccination status of their patrons and will be asking them to present a valid ID to verify their identity.

According to the province's government portal, the following documents can also be presented in place of a vaccine card with the QR code:

  • Canadian Armed Forces vaccine record
  • First Nations immunization record
  • Vaccine records issued by other provinces and territories
  • ArriveCan app for international travellers and valid international travel identity document
  • Negative privately paid COVID-19 test from within the previous 72 hours
  • Valid proof of medical exemption

Read more: Alberta orders public service employees to be vaccinated

Fabricating a vaccination record is an offence subject to prosecution or a fine of up to $100,000 for a first-time offence, according to the province. The province has yet to implement a vaccine passport for residents, but Premier Jason Kenney previously said it could likely be implemented early next year due to uncertainty over the winter.

In the meantime, a similar Restriction Exemptions Programme has been enforced, allowing some businesses and venues to require proof of vaccinations from patrons. Alberta has a total of 5,512 active cases of COVID-19, according to its official tally. Meanwhile, 88% of the eligible population has received their first dose, while 82.4% are fully vaccinated.

"Thank you to the more than three million Albertans who have been vaccinated and have already accessed their enhanced vaccine records,” said Copping. “I encourage anyone who hasn’t yet been vaccinated to get the facts they need by speaking to their doctor.”