B.C. vaccine passport online system goes live
Posted Sep 7, 2021 9:52 am.
Last Updated Sep 7, 2021 5:01 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – B.C.’s online system for people to show proof of vaccination is now live.
British Columbians are now able to log their status and access their “BC Vaccine Card” through the Health Gateway system.
The process appears to be simple. Once you go to healthgateway.gov.bc.ca/vaccinecard, you’ll be taken to a page that asks for various pieces of information, including you Personal Health Number, Date of Birth, and Date of Vaccine — either the first or second dose.
You’re also given the option to log in to the Health Gateway through your BC Services Card App — which is free.
Once the information is entered, a QR code pops up. It’s understood that that is what people will need to present if they want to access certain events, services, or businesses.
People will be required to show they’ve had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to access certain places as of Sept. 13. By Oct. 24, people will need to be fully vaccinated to go to places like the movies or restaurants.
According to the Ministry of Health, the system went live Tuesday morning as part of a “soft launch to test capacity in the system.”
“Any issues identified during the soft launch will be worked through,” the ministry said in an email.
“It is important that people do not share their QR codes publicly.”
The website is not working and is giving an error message.
— Meghan Callaway (@FitFastStrong) September 7, 2021
It appears the soft launch may have been a good idea. Just moments after the website went live, some people began receiving messages that the site was experiencing a high level of traffic.
“You’re in a virtual queue, thank you for waiting,” reads the message, adding, “Please only continue to wait if you have all registration information.”
The province is set to unveil the full details of its vaccine card program Tuesday at 2 p.m.
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-With files from Claire Fenton
