COVID-19 vaccine card now available online

Albertans can now access printable cards containing their COVID -19 vaccine records.

The province's new website, albertavaccinerecord.ca, went live Sunday morning.

The site allows Albertans to download a PDF file containing a card to be used to prove vaccination status. The card can be printed or saved to a phone.

It requires Albertans to enter their personal health-care number, birth date and the month and year in which they were vaccinated.

The card shows the date each shot of vaccine was administered and what kind of vaccine was given.

On Wednesday, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announced a vaccine passport system dubbed the restrictions exemption program (REP). Starting Monday, some businesses choosing to follow the program will be exempt from certain public health measures as long as they require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID -19 test from a private vendor. At launch, only one shot of vaccine will be required to access these businesses.

Alberta's health records website was overwhelmed in the wake of the announcement, with more than 100,000 users waiting in queues to enter the site at some points. A new tool for accessing the printable cards was expected to go online Monday.

It can take up to two weeks for online records to be updated after vaccinations, the website said. Those whose records aren't in the system are advised to use the paper copy from their appointment and to try accessing the site again later.

Alberta is also developing a digital QR code for proof of vaccination, which is expected in the coming weeks.

The PDF format of the vaccine card has led to some concerns about the potential for forgery. Several users took to social media with examples of altered cards to demonstrate the ease with which the documents can be changed.

The Vaxhunterab group, which has helped connect Albertans with shots of vaccine throughout the pandemic, said they were “pleasantly surprised” by the site's ease of use but criticized the fact cards could be downloaded as editable PDFS. The province since bolstered security on the site to prevent PDFS from being easily edited.

“There are already so many loopholes in this program that make it both less effective as a vaccination incentive and as a risk reduction for vaccinated people that it's disappointing that the cards themselves aren't more secure,” the group said in a statement.

“While we understand that this is an interim solution until the QR codes are ready, we're not too optimistic that an editable PDF, a process that only requires a single shot until Oct. 25, and a 72-hour negative test option is a combination that will meaningfully reduce the out-of-control spread of the virus. We hope these loopholes are closed and the process is tightened up as quickly as possible to create a program that Albertans can trust.”

University of Calgary health policy expert Lorian Hardcastle said the possibility of forgery could undermine the REP.

“Certainly, I've heard the forgery is not just doable but very easy,” Hardcastle said.

While announcing the REP last week, Health Minister Tyler Shandro said some people may choose to abuse the system but that this was “unavoidable.”