Rite Aid introduces digital COVID-19 vaccine cards

Rite Aid is offering customers the ability to digitally access and share their proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

The drugstore chain is partnering with secure identity company Clear to enable customers vaccinated at any Rite Aid location to supplement their paper vaccination card with a verified digital version accessible on their mobile device. The secure digital vaccine card can be linked to Clear’s Health Pass screening solution that has been used by more than 130 organizations.

To create a digital vaccine card, customers vaccinated at Rite Aid will first download and enroll in the free Clear app, and then scan their smart QR code from the email or SMS notification they receive from Rite Aid after receiving a COVID-19 vaccination.

To enroll in the program, users download the free Clear app, tap the blue digital vaccine card tile, and then verify their identity by uploading an identifying document and snapping a quick selfie. Users then tap the Rite Aid tile from CLEAR’s list of providers and take a photo of their smart QR code after receiving an email or SMS notification with their unique link. Their proof of vaccination is then verified and a digital vaccine card is created.

Once their digital vaccine card is created, users can share their verified proof of vaccination anywhere and anytime they like. In addition, the digital vaccine card automatically links to Health Pass to create a frictionless entry at participating Health Pass locations. Customers are always in control of their information. COVID-19-related information, including vaccination data, is stored in a secure environment.

Rite Aid is following in the footsteps of Walmart, which began enabling customers to securely store their COVID-19 vaccine record in their pharmacy account on Walmart.com or Samsclub.com in June 2021. The vaccine record can be printed, saved on a device, or shared at the discretion of the consumer.

The Walmart vaccine record is a free digital version of the vaccine cards issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and is available to consumers age 18 and up who received their COVID-19 vaccine at a Walmart or Sam’s Club pharmacy or a Walmart-run vaccine event. Individuals can log into their Walmart or Sam’s Club account and request the vaccine record as a QR code in a few steps.

“We’ve been proud to fight the COVID-19 pandemic on the front lines, offering widespread testing and administering more than seven million vaccinations – as well as providing whole-health advice to help communities get thriving again,” said Jim Peters, COO, Rite Aid. “With states, businesses and events beginning to require COVID-19 vaccinations for various activities, we’re making it convenient and easy to verify vaccination status so members of our communities can get back to doing the things they love to do together.”

“With CLEAR, you are always you and it shouldn’t take a wallet full of cards to prove your identity and vaccination status,” said Caryn Seidman-Becker, Clear CEO. “Today, proof of vaccination is more important than ever, and we are excited to work together with Rite Aid to help empower patients with an easy and secure digital vaccine card.”

Rite Aid operates over 2,500 retail pharmacy locations across 17 U.S. states.