How to download your vaccine passport or certificate

People wanting to travel abroad or get into certain venues may struggle if they don't have a vaccine passport.

Under new restrictions, people will need vaccine passports when visiting events and large venues, such as nightclubs.

The digital passport can be used as proof of your vaccination status which can be kept on your smartphone.

For those who don't have it yet, the easiest way to download the vaccine is via the NHS app which can be downloaded on the App Store for iOS devices and the Google Play Store for Android devices.

It can also be downloaded online via the online NHS Covid Pass service - the pass can be printed so you have a physical copy on hand at all times if required.

If you have can't use the vaccine passport digitally, you can request for a copy to be sent to you in the post.

You can ask for a letter by calling 119 or +44 151 905 0119 if you're overseas.

For people aged 16 or over, you can get a digital NHS COVID Pass for travel - those aged 18 or over can use the pass for domestic events and venues.

How long a digital NHS COVID Pass is valid for

A Covid pass is only valid for a certain amount of time, therefore it's important to double-check its expiration date before using it for important foreign travel or events.
• a vaccine used in the UK – your NHS COVID 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 NHS COVID Pass is valid for 48 hours after a negative result
• a positive PCR test – your NHS COVID 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're fully vaccinated or had a positive test result, the barcode on a PDF passport is valid for 30 days.