Cooper Shies Away From 'Vaccine Passports,' But Says Records Should Be More Accessible

Governor Roy Cooper says the state is working on ways to make it easier for North Carolinians to get their COVID-19 vaccination records. But at a press conference Tuesday, he stopped short of committing to creating a vaccine passport system

Several states have already created such systems, which provide electronic vaccine records people could use to prove their status if prompted.  

When asked, Cooper shied away from using the term “vaccine passport” but said the state is trying to make those records more accessible. 

“They are working now to find the best and easiest way for someone who says, 'hey, I want to show a record of my vaccine.' We need to be able to easily get it to them," said Cooper. "And I think that's something the state should do.”

Health Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen said the state is exploring “IT solutions” and will be contacting potential vendors in the next several weeks. 

The Biden administration has largely left the decision up to the states. A White House spokesperson said Tuesday the federal government has no plans to require Americans to carry a vaccination credential. 

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