Pan-Canadian vaccination passport now available in Manitoba; Here is what you need to know
Fully vaccinated Manitobans are now able to access the federal pan-Canadian proof of vaccination credentials required to travel at home and abroad.
The pan-Canadian credentials became available to Manitobans on Monday.
This comes after the federal government announced that each province and territory would need to issue its own standardized pan-Canadian vaccine passport for use when travelling.
"The federal credential will be recognized across the country for travelling in other provinces and territories and when returning to Canada from other jurisdictions," Manitoba Central Services Minister Reg Helwer said on Monday.
To access the information, Manitobans need to log in to the Manitoba Immunization web portal – the same place where Manitobans requested and access their provincial immunization card. There, Manitobans can request the pan-Canadian credentials once consenting, and will then receive a PDF copy.
"Once you have the (QR) code, you can print it off to carry with you if needed or you can keep it on your phone or electronic device," Helwer said.
The province pointed out the pan-Canadian credentials will give Manitobans a different QR code, separate from the current provincial immunization card.
The province said these pan-Canadian credentials will be accepted across Canada as of Oct. 30.
The credentials include the holder's first and last name, birth date, a security key, the type and manufacturer of the vaccine received and when it was administered, the lot number the vaccines came from, the person who administered the vaccine, and the vaccine status.
"You will notice that the federal (proof of vaccination credentials) includes much more information about you," Helwer said.
"We strongly recommend you keep using the Manitoba Immunization Card here in the province and elsewhere it is accepted."
Helwer said Manitoba's immunization cards show only the name of the holder and the vaccine status – showing verifiers either a green screen and checkmark for fully vaccinated or a red screen with an 'X if the holder is not fully vaccinated.
"It restricts the amount of information that you are disclosing, it provides the least amount of personal health information which is always the best practice when considering the security of your own data," Helwer said.
By early November, the province plans to update its immunization app so Manitobans can access both their provincial and pan-Canadian immunization credentials through the provincial immunization app.
Helwer said this will allow Manitobans to toggle between the two QR codes to choose which one they want to use to confirm their vaccination status.
By mid-November, the province plans to release a new version of the immunization verifier app which will be able to verify both the Manitoba and pan-Canadian credentials.
Manitobans should use the pan-Canadian credentials when travelling internationally, or when travelling domestically by air, rail or water.
The province said as of Nov. 30, the Government of Canada will require all international travellers, or those travelling by air, rail, or water to be fully vaccinated with limited exceptions, and show proof of vaccination using pan-Canadian credentials.
The province recommends Manitobans continue to use their provincial immunization card in Manitoba for activities like going to a restaurant, movie, or sports game.
CTV News will update this story.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'He's in our hearts': Family and friends still seek answers one year after Nathan Wise’s disappearance
It’s been a year since Nathan Wise went missing and his family is no closer to finding out what happened to him.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
Wildfire near Fort McMurray more than triples overnight, several evacuation alerts remain in place
The fire burning near Fort McMurray grew from 25 hectares to 5,500 hectares over the weekend.
Putin replaces Russian defence minister in rare cabinet shakeup
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin began a Cabinet shakeup on Sunday, proposing the replacement of Sergei Shoigu as defence minister as he begins his fifth term in office.
Man fatally 'slashed in the neck' in downtown Toronto, suspect outstanding
Police are searching for a male suspect after a man was “slashed in neck” on Sunday morning in downtown Toronto and died.
WATCH Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Edibles, armchairs and adapters: Here are the recalls for this week
Health Canada announced various product recalls this week, including electric adapters, armchairs, cannabis edibles and vehicle components.