New York State recently announced the official rollout of its first digital vaccine passport. Called the Excelsior Pass, the program will allow users to add a QR code to their smartphone wallets that certifies their immunization status and recent Covid-19 test results.

Initially, the Excelsior Pass will target concert and other event venues, but businesses can also begin applying to use the program. Madison Square Garden in New York City, where fans recently returned for a Knicks game, will begin using the program this week. Showing the Excelsior Pass is optional, but it should make entry to the venue quicker and more efficient.

If you are attending a game at Madison Square Garden, you must already have a negative Covid 19 test or show proof of vaccination in order to enter the arena. With the Excelsior Pass, one can scan their status with a smartphone or QR code printout and present it with their ticket to the game.

To qualify for a permanent Excelsior Pass, you must have been vaccinated in New York State and at least 14 days have passed since your last vaccination. In addition, a person may qualify for a temporary Excelsior Pass if he or she has been tested in New York within 3 days and tested negative.

If you qualify, you will need to verify your identity by filling out a short form on this website. Once your information is verified, your Excelsior Pass can be added to a digital wallet on your smartphone or printed out.

Meanwhile, President Biden's administration is trying to organize and unify the development of vaccine passports. Inconsistent requirements and certifications can complicate travel and exacerbate health risks at both the national and federal levels.

There are, of course, numerous accessibility complexities that must be addressed. Some may struggle to access vaccines or technology that supports vaccine passports, while others may choose to skip vaccines altogether.

Travel trade associations, high-tech companies, and other organizations are developing certificate systems for vaccinators. American Airlines and British Airways are testing Verifly App passports on transatlantic flights.

The International Air Transport Association's Travel Pass is also an app. According to the proposal, Travel Pass would allow passengers to set up a digital passport that verifies that their inspections/immunizations meet the regulations of a particular country or region.

More states may launch their version of the Excelsior Pass before vaccine passports are encouraged for travel; according to the CDC, as of this week, nearly 30% of the US population has received at least one vaccination. As a result, venues across the country may continue to follow Israel's lead in allowing vaccinated individuals to enter large public venues such as concerts and sporting events using the Virtual Vaccine Passport.