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There is no question the pandemic is a polarizing topic around the globe, and the controversy as to whether to get the vaccine or not will likely rage on for the unforeseeable future. While it’s hard enough to stay happy and healthy during the pandemic, it’s becoming increasingly harder to work, travel, and socialize with the Covid vaccine issue lingering over all our heads.
The Reality of Living In a Vaccine-Centric World
Whether you are for or against the vaccine, the reality is more and more people are forced to obtain “the jab” as it is sometimes called in some social circles. For instance, the US Government has mandated federal employees receive the Coronavirus vaccine according to 2019 presidential policy and edict. As such, governmental employees in agencies such as the FBI, US Customs, and other departments stand to lose their jobs if they do not comply with this mandate by November of 2021.
While your situation might not be as drastic as that, there are still some potentially major obstacles when it comes to moving, working, and living within vaccination regulations. Considering this, many people are turning to technology for assistance in maneuvering in a Covid-centric world. That’s where vaccine apps on smartphones are starting to play an important role in maintaining some semblance of normalcy in the current pandemic pandemonium.
Vaccine Apps and Managing Life In The “New Norm”
Personal viewpoints aside, the issue of Covid vaccinations has become a sobering reality for the human population, and it is impacting all aspects of our lives. For instance, currently, all non-US citizens are required to show proof they are fully vaccinated before they are allowed to travel by air in the US. However, as concerns about Covid continue to rise, there is an increasing possibility that all US citizens will be required to be vaccinated (and show proof of such) to travel or go to their jobs.
So what are we to do in light of this “New Norm” and Covid vaccine-centric world we live in today? Well, as it turns out, there really is an app for everything. In fact, more and more employers are demanding a vaccine tracker app in order to permit employees to return to work after they’ve tested positive for the virus. Read on about what a vaccine app is, and how it might be the next wave in living in the future of a pandemic-addled society.
Why Agencies Are Opting for Vaccine Apps Over Paper Certifications
While the US federal government is in the process of giving out personal record cards and certification documents to people who have received the full coronavirus vaccination, there are still arguments as to how effective paper documentation is. For instance, there have already been a number of cases where people have tried to forge vaccine cards or pass off fake vaccine documents as legitimate proof of vaccination.
With innovations in technology, vaccine status is much more difficult to duplicate or forge. Hence, private developers are playing a role in the Covid theatre by creating vaccine apps. Increasingly, the information on these vaccine apps is gaining governmental approval, replacing paper certifications and thus serving as legal stand-ins for employers and travel authorities.
How Vaccine Apps for Smartphones Work
Ideally, vaccine apps will allow you to obtain a quick response (QR) code on your smartphone, which is like a barcode that is scanned by organizations requiring proof you’re fully vaccinated. This code will contain vital digital information about the status of your vaccination. The app should not reveal personal or private patient information. It should, however, show the date you received the vaccine, confirmation of your identity, test results, and in some cases, the batch number of the vaccine might be contained in the QR code.
This information is already reported to state and governmental health agencies, so it is already on file. A vaccine app uses technology to download this public information and is then held on your smartphone. This information is stored and used in much the same way you may have a digital wallet app functioning on your phone. So, just as you swipe your phone to buy a bag of Doritos, you will also swipe your phone to obtain access into places requiring proof of vaccination.
Should You Consider Installing a Vaccine App?
It really depends upon your lifestyle and your work situation. If you find that you are in a highly regulated profession that requires legitimate proof of your vaccination – an app might be better suited than paper documents. Furthermore, if you travel extensively, you may want to consider getting a vaccination app for convenience.
To be clear, these vaccination apps are still under development, and they still aren’t approved by all agencies. Even if you have a fully functional QR Code on your vaccination app, you may want to carry your paper certification with you as well.
While showing proof that you’ve gotten “the jab” certainly isn’t ideal, technology is providing ways to make the inconvenience a little less of a hassle. Whether you are for or against the vaccination, the reality remains that certain employers, travel authorities, and governmental agencies are demanding proof. Therefore, you may want to consider getting a vaccination app on your phone to make an already complicated situation slightly easier to deal with.
