New York launches nation's first 'vaccine passport'

(Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

By Hanna Park

(NEW YORK) New York has become the first state to launch a “vaccine passport” that can be used to enter certain venues.

Starting Friday, the first-in-the-nation certification, called the Excelsior Pass app, will be used at large-scale venues like Madison Square Garden, as well as at dozens of other arts and entertainment venues statewide next week, USA Today reports.

The app, championed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to support the recovery of industries most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, is funded by the state and available for free to businesses and anyone with state vaccination or test records.

Residents will be able to prove their health status with a digital QR code or "quick response" machine-readable label after downloading the app and entering their name, date of birth, zip code and a series of personal questions to confirm their identity. The data will come from the state's vaccine registry and will be linked to testing data from several pre-approved testing companies.

The United States is vaccinating 2 million people a day, according to The Hill. President Joe Biden has upped his goal to get 200 million people vaccinated with at least their first dose within his first 100 days in office.

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