Vaccine receipts: Here’s everything you need to know to prove you’re double dosed

The Ontario government is suggesting you hold on to your COVID-19 vaccine receipt.

You may be asking, wait, what receipt? It's understandable if you were so excited after getting your second shot that you forgot to meticulously file away the piece of paper you should have received that confirmed you're double dosed, along with other personal information and details about the vaccine itself.

Now, with some businesses saying they'll be asking potential customers to prove their vaccination status for entry, that little piece of paper suddenly seems much more important.

The government has said your vaccine receipt received post-vaccination is what is currently available as valid proof of your shots. If you haven't thought about it until now, don't fret - here's everything you need to know about your vaccine receipt in Ontario.

Where is my receipt?

It may very well be in your recycling bin. But have no fear - simply visit http://covid19.ontariohealth.ca to access the online portal where you can verify your identity and download a copy of your vaccine receipt. To access this service you must have a valid email address and a green photo health (OHIP) card.

What if I still have an old white/red non-photo ID health card?

The online portal is not available to people with outdated health cards. You must call the provincial vaccine booking line at 1-833-943-3900.

In the absence of a federally mandated vaccine passport, if a business in Ontario asks for proof of vaccination, is this what I should show?

Yes. At this point, the province says the receipt you received after your second dose is the only valid proof of vaccination. The information contained in your receipt is also stored in a system called COVaxON. Everyone who is vaccinated is registered with COVaxON, regardless if you got your shot in a hospital, a pharmacy, or through a public health unit.

Do I have to show my vaccine receipt if a business asks?

No, but they may refuse you entry if they believe you could contribute to an unsafe environment for staff and employees. But the province has emphasized that they have not mandated proof of vaccine for anything - not to attend work, attend a place of business or participate in any activities. It is entirely up to individual businesses and organizations to determine if they want to confirm people's vaccination status.

Can I use my receipt as a vaccine passport for travel?

No. The province has said the responsibility for a vaccine passport falls to the federal government and Ontario will not be imposing a vaccine passport on Ontario residents. So definitely don't try to use your vaccine receipt to travel internationally.

What about interprovincial travel? Can I use my receipt as proof if asked in another province?

Ontario Ministry of Health officials say other provinces don't have access to COVaxON so residents who are travelling within Canada should bring their vaccination receipt with them. Alternatively, they can print, view or download their receipt remotely or call the provincial booking system. The province says the receipt is digitally signed and can be verified.

My receipt only lists one of the vaccines I received and I mixed different types. Do I need to carry two pieces of paper around?

No. You only need the receipt that confirms you have received two doses. The provincial and federal governments' position is mixing doses is safe and so all that matters is that you've received both doses. There is no reason for a business to ask what kind of doses you received.

My receipt is literally just a piece of paper. Is there anything to protect against falsification?

The government says there are no specific technology protections embedded within the receipt to protect against falsification, but what's more important than the piece of paper is your information stored in the COVaxON system.

What about privacy issues - could my information be shared?

Ministry of Health officials say the COVaxON system is secure and there have been no issues with data security or privacy breaches to date. When it comes to showing your actual vaccine receipt to businesses who inquire, it would be up to you to protect any sensitive information such as full name and date of birth (your health card number is already redacted). There's no reason any business should ask to keep a copy of your receipt on record.

If I don't have a receipt, will businesses take me at my word?

That's up to the discretion of the business. The province says everyone who has received both doses will have access to a receipt, either through the online portal or the provincial vaccine booking line.

Omar Mosleh is an Edmonton-based reporter for the Star. Follow him on Twitter: @OmarMosleh