Patient Access has launched a feature which will allow users to prove their Covid-19 vaccination status on their smartphone.

Users of the app who have requested their medical record from their GP can now find a Covid vaccination status on their homepage when they log in.

It includes information on the date of vaccination, whether it was the first or second dose, and which vaccine was given. It will be presented alongside key activity on the app, including upcoming appointments or repeat medication.

Patient Access is powered by EMIS and has 12 million registered users.

Dr Shaun O’Hanlon, EMIS group chief medical officer, said: “This new development makes it quick and easy for users of Patient Access to check – or prove – their Covid vaccination status.

“We are confident that it will be a practical and welcome resource for people as the government continues to relax Covid restrictions and there is an increasing need to be able to demonstrate vaccination status.

“We hope that it will also benefit GP practices – removing the pressure of requests for Covid vaccination proof and putting the data directly into patients’ hands.”

The vaccination status feature will be automatically available for patients who already have access to their care and immunisation records.

Practices will be required to assess and enable new patients who request their care and immunisation record on an individual basis.

Covid-19 vaccine passports

Last month transport secretary Grant Shapps confirmed the NHS App would be used as a Covid-19 passport to prove proof Brits have had their vaccination, or tested negative for the virus, before going on holiday.

But little has been revealed about how the passports will work and how users will be verified when travelling.

The NHS App allows users to access a range of NHS services on their smartphone or tablet. It was launched in 2018 and offers services including symptom checking and triage; appointment booking; repeat prescription ordering; access to patient records; national data opt-out; and organ donation preference.

Users can already check their vaccination status through the app if permitted by their GP, which applies to all vaccines.

The NHS App is separate from the NHS Covid-19 app which was designed specifically as a contact-tracing app.