RI to launch vaccination card app, 401 Health

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE)- Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee held a COVID-19 briefing on Wednesday morning, following an increase in cases around the state.

The governor’s office told ABC6 that the Ocean State will be launching a vaccine passport program in the coming weeks.

The state is in the process of developing a proof-of-vaccination passport app that would allow residents to easily show proof of vaccination, according to McKee’s office.

The app, called 401 health aims to make it easier to show proof of vaccination in locations where it’s required.

At his COVID briefing today, Mckee reiterated the app itself is a recommendation, not a requirement.

“Call it what you want, it’s more so for people to use it in their travels or go somewhere and have convenience to prove if they have been vaccinated,” Mckee said.

Some like East Providence resident Madison Conley experienced similar initiatives in other states.

“I actually had experience using something like this in New York, I went to a concert over the summer and we had to use something like that and it made getting into the concert super easy and efficient to go right in. I think something like this would be good for Rhode Island,” Conley said.

But could we see the app in local businesses?

A topic of conversation on Federal Hill.

“I don’t know any businesses that are going to make it mandatory to have the vaccine to enter their restaurant just because the app is out there. I don’t know anyone taking that approach. If anything I had people asking if this was going to be forced and the governors team has ensured me that is not the case,” Federal Hill Commerce Association President Rick Simone said.

McKee said that PCR tests can detect the new Omicron variant and that health officials are working to identify any cases within the state.

Rhode Island is second in the nation for vaccinations, with 94% of adults and 83% of all residents having at least one dose of the vaccine.

The state is still encouraging those who are not vaccinated to get the shot.

“If you have not been vaccinated yet or your child has not been yet, now is the time,” said Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott.

Cases among children have doubled between Halloween and Thanksgiving. Cases in among those ages 10-14 have tripled in the same time.