COVID-19 vaccination and international travel

Applying for an NHS COVID pass letter

People can now use this service to get a letter showing their coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination status.

They can use this letter if they’re travelling abroad, or going to an event, and need proof you’ve had your COVID-19 vaccination.

NHS App – covid vaccination and international travel

Following the announcement about the impending lift of international travel on 17 May, and subsequently the need to evidence Covid vaccinations before travelling to international destinations, NHSX has arranged for initial information to be made available online on GOV.UK. 

The information will support the public with any initial enquiries they may have, and the URL is https://www.gov.uk/guidance/demonstrating-your-covid-19-vaccination-status-when-travelling-abroad 

Countries will decide whether they require proof of Covid vaccination for entry, and it is the traveller’s responsibility to check individual requirements.

If needed, people in England who have both vaccine doses will be able to demonstrate their Covid vaccination status via the NHS App from 17 May. Those without access to the app can request a letter from the NHS proving their vaccination status by calling 119. 

We will be sharing messages about this locally and advising the general public that they should not contact their GP surgery about your COVID-19 vaccination status.

Please feel free to download the graphics below which can be accompanied by this text:

Did you know you can access your COVID-19 vaccination status through the free NHS App?

Please do not contact your GP surgery about your COVID-19 vaccination status. GPs cannot provide letters showing your COVID-19 vaccination status.

For more information, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/demonstrating-your-covid-19-vaccination-status-when-travelling-abroad

Helping GP practices

We’ve provided more detailed information to GP practices to help them with the influx of requests since the launch of the Share your COVID-19 status in the NHS App.

COVID-19 vaccination status displayed through the NHS App is not dependent on access being granted by the GP practice. Downloading and registering with the NHS App can be completed in 15 minutes. However, as many of you know, the set-up of an NHS login usually requires extra proof of identity such as a passport or driving licence and roughly a third of registrations require manual verification of identity. Depending on demand, this may take a few days. This is required because the NHS App is enabling access to sensitive information.

If you do not have photo identification you can use the registration details from your GP practice’s online services. If your patient has already had their ID checked to access GP online services, the setup of an NHS login can be fast-tracked if you use the mobile number you supplied to your GP practice. More information on NHS login can be found here.

At around a quarter of practices you can now ask for GP advice without the need to telephone due to the integration of forms-based triage service eConsult into the NHS App. This has now been updated so you can also ask for advice on behalf of a child.

GP practices can find a range of support to help with the NHS App, including training courses and a toolkit, on the NHS Digital website Practices needing further support can contact the NHS App team via https://www.nhs.uk/contact-us/nhs-app-contact-us

For more information and to download the NHS App, people visit www.nhs.uk/app or call 119. Support for patients to use the app is here https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/nhs-app/nhs-app-help-and-support/