Aus Digital Vax certificate has no AstaZenica batch numbers visible: currently a Qatar entry requirement for stopover.

[AviatorPJ]

As we get ready for outbound travel, Australian travellers need to consider beforehand, how to provide their immunization status to meet varying country requirements. The format and content of the current Australian Government COVID-19 Digital Certificate appears problematic and likely, inadequate to meet some Countries' requirements as currently provided.

Qatar Travel and Return Policy Qatar Travel and Return Policy

See under box, Approved Vaccines : number 3 - 4th dot point. The serial number of the vaccine batch (if any)

Our Australian, COVID-19 Digital Certificate for AstraZenica, for example (possibly also, other vaccines) does not currently show vaccination batch numbers. Neither are these batch numbers shown/available to us, on our online Medicare Immunisation Register Record.

Vaccination batch numbers are certainly recorded in the Immunisation Register Record. However, these batch numbers are currently only visible to health providers with approved access to the Immunisation Registry. Mainly, the immunizers, GPs, and other approved health personnel. They are currently not visible to those of us who have been vaccinated,

 

[kyle]

I still have my little cards with the batch numbers written on them. Just need them added to the certificate.

 

[Telemachus]

As we get ready for outbound travel, Australian travellers need to consider beforehand, how to provide their immunization status to meet varying country requirements. The format and content of the current Australian Government COVID-19 Digital Certificate appears problematic and likely, inadequate to meet some Countries' requirements as currently provided.

Qatar Travel and Return Policy Qatar Travel and Return Policy

See under box, Approved Vaccines : number 3 - 4th dot point. The serial number of the vaccine batch (if any)

Our Australian, COVID-19 Digital Certificate for AstraZenica, for example (possibly also, other vaccines) does not currently show vaccination batch numbers. Neither are these batch numbers shown/available to us, on our online Medicare Immunisation Register Record.

Vaccination batch numbers are certainly recorded in the Immunisation Register Record. However, these batch numbers are currently only visible to health providers with approved access to the Immunisation Registry. Mainly, the immunizers, GPs, and other approved health personnel. They are currently not visible to those of us who have been vaccinated,

Thanks for flagging this issue. It is quite likely a solution is in the pipeline. Any Australian Covid vaccination certificate currently available is the version designed for domestic rather than international use, though we know that such a certificate is recognised and accepted by countries such as the UK. This is only an interim measure, though, in the context of international travel.

A new (slightly different) internationally-recognised vaccination certificate is scheduled to start to become available to Australians from some time in October. It will draw on the same information from the AIR but will be validated by DFAT who will apply an ICAO-compliant Visual Digital Seal before the certificate is issued by Services Australia: this feature provides for a higher standard of integrity and security. Ministers have said the government has been checking the compliance of the new international certificate with the requirements of various foreign border and immigration agencies, with no major issues found to date.

Since, as you say, the batch number is part of the dataset in the AIR – albeit not added to the details included in one’s Immunisation History Statement – it is reasonable to conclude there is no technical impediment to showing it on the new international vaccination certificates. It also seems likely the Qatari requirement (which may not be unique) is known to Australia and has been factored into final acceptance testing.

Edit: That line you've cited from the Qatar Travel & Return Policy does say 'if any', which to me suggests the inclusion of batch numbers on the certificate or in 'other supporting documents' is not a show-stopper.

 

[SYD]

Does QR stipulate what form that info must be in?

I had both jabs recorded in my ICV (Yellow Book) including batch numbers.

 

[Pushka]

I was given batch number for first AZ which I know came from Europe but not the second which most likely was locally manufactured. Neither number shows up anywhere.

 

[Spongbob]

But this will all be fixed by using the CovidSafe app?

 

[AviatorPJ]

Does QR stipulate what form that info must be in?

Not aware of the format requested by Qatar authorities. Yes, I immediately thought of my own ICV (Yellow Book) entries.

I had both jabs recorded in my ICV (Yellow Book) including batch numbers.

I noted only my second AstraZenica dose batch number was entered in my ICV (Yellow Book). At a separate vaccination consultation last week I asked my local GP clinic nurse if the COVID-19 batch numbers could be retrieved, since I couldn't find batch numbers on my AIR record? The nurse was able to see all vaccination batch numbers on my AIR through the provider portal. The nurse provided me a print out of all vaccine batch numbers for all my recent vaccinations and entered the1st dose batch number into my ICV under the 1st Covid-19 dose entry.

Edit: That line you've cited from the Qatar Travel & Return Policy does say 'if any', which to me suggests the inclusion of batch numbers on the certificate or in 'other supporting documents' is not a show-stopper.

Possibly, but could be a potential "queue stopper" - depending on a national official's interpretation. Especially, if some vaccination doses were provided in a second/other Country.

Your full comment is very informative, thank you. Especially, about DFAT's responsibility to validate the AIR information with an ICAO-compliant Visual Digital Seal. I wonder how the proposed, DFAT ICAO compliant Visual Digital Seal would interact with the IATA Travel Pass?

IATA Travel Pass Initiative

The Travel Pass App developed during the COVID-19 pandemic has now been decommissioned.

www.iata.org

 

[Telemachus]

I'm assuming/deducing that the IATA TP will be the most commonly used digital travel wallet to hold vax certificates and test results, though I believe there are ~25 competing apps available. As you will know from that link the IATA TP has been in trial phase by multiple carriers for several months and some have committed to roll-out including EK & QF.

According to DFAT the VDS-NC checker (the app designed for use by airlines/border agencies to read & validate the QR code on the international certificate) is compliant with IATA TP: see Australian Passport Office link here. So it follows, I think, that the Australian international vax certificate can be stored in (or accessible from) IATA TP.

Personally, while I'm willing to adopt this stuff it is all a bit bleeding edge so my belt and braces plan is to also carry hard copies of all documentation.

 

[AviatorPJ]

I'm assuming/deducing that the IATA TP will be the most commonly used digital travel wallet to hold vax certificates and test results, though I believe there are ~25 competing apps available. As you will know from that link the IATA TP has been in trial phase by multiple carriers for several months and some have committed to roll-out including EK & QF.

According to DFAT the VDS-NC checker (the app designed for use by airlines/border agencies to read & validate the QR code on the international certificate) is compliant with IATA TP: see Australian Passport Office link here. So it follows, I think, that the Australian international vax certificate can be stored in (or accessible from) IATA TP.

Personally, while I'm willing to adopt this stuff it is all a bit bleeding edge so my belt and braces plan is to also carry hard copies of all documentation.

Thanks again. Very informative and I fully concur with you about carrying hard copies of all documentation.

 

[ksthommo]

International travel certificates to be available on MyGov from Tuesday

Just hit the ABC New Website. International travel certificates available on MyGov from Tuesday.
Example shows administering centre and batch numbers.

 

[AviatorPJ]

Thanks. Sounds good and timely. I hope this new digital certificate and interface app. can well function.

 

[burmans]

Thanks. Sounds good and timely. I hope this new digital certificate and interface app. can well function.

Make sure you have backup power for your phone though, it’s increasingly critical these days not to have a flat battery!

 

[Must...Fly!]

Make sure you have backup power for your phone though, it’s increasingly critical these days not to have a flat battery!

A memorised password and cloud backup is pretty critical these days!

 

[jb747]

I did mine this morning. It definitely has batch numbers.

 

[Telemachus]

I did mine this morning. It definitely has batch numbers.

So we're all good for entry to Qatar - as per OP's question in this thread. I've been there and it's not high on my list of must-go-back destinations.

 

[ethernet]

The DESIGN and the gathering of REQUIREMENTS for ICT implementation has been woeful. Of course they want batch numbers, so that the trauma of finding breakthrough cases can be minimised should they get too many positives/forgeries from one nation.

While here, the electronic chip in your passport could maybe/possibly updated if there is room and write access. Otherwise, why would you bother with a chip. I also bemoan how nobody decided to used JAB code (Just Another Barcode) is a color 2D matrix symbology made of colorful square modules arranged in either square or rectangle grids developed by Fraunhofer Institute SIT (Secure Information Technology). It also has security features. Being novel, it would deter amateur photoshoppers. Why not both!

In NSW I find QR codes are NOT quick response, and low quality copies, or lighting/glare stop effective reading. Mr Woolworths is too lazy/cheap not to print the QR codes out at 800-1200%, which will improve speed of entry and phone fiddling. Just for dumb people, QR codes are scalable - you can print them out any size. So why not scale to fit an A4 sheet.

 

[moa999]

Black & white far better than colour codes.

Certainly my Woolworths has some large prints on the windows.

I think the greater issue is the majority of these codes (including the ServiceNSW and the new Aus Govt certificate) are way too complex (ie. Detailed) which means you need a good quality camera and focus.

The NSW check-in contains a URL, text, and a huge amount of checksums.
Could have been done far more easily with say a 10-digit ID number, checksum etc.

 

[justinbrett]

Having used both QLD and NSW codes extensively (I spent about 2 months in QLD this year for work) - the NSW codes are significantly easier to scan. Not sure if it's the app or the way that they're printed in QLD - and most of my family (who live in QLD) and colleagues also had issues with the QLD codes.

I can't say I've had much trouble with the NSW codes, but I do have the latest iPhone. I can usually scan as I walk past without stopping.

 

[Pushka]

The International travel version released Tuesday has batch numbers.

 

[ethernet]

I agree B+W is far better, except the NSW one has a much higher density, and gives my budget $125 phone issues. The same phone has no problems with the ACT QR codes, not a bit. If you suspect it could be the app, someone should be testing this.
The cost of a color print at Kmart or OfficeWorks is under 10 cents. Come Christmas madhouse time in Malls, delays have got to be removed. Thus the JAB code could be an improvement for NSW and QLD. Note the JAB code to use is free and open source. Ref: QR code - Wikipedia. They have time to add an either/or solution.

The reason why there is not a number below the barcode, is that silly persons were using the same/ wrong codes to check into all - not funny at all. So they deleted the manual input option. Or it may be because deliberate errors were deliberately added. My cheap phone has a double front camera, so I wonder if the phone software is trying to be too helpful.

Another problem with the Service NSW app is that it seems not to work where there is no phone reception, such as the outskirts of Young NSW. They better fix this before pick-your-own-cherries places open up - as they are popular. Some also have other stone fruit like peaches.