Massachusetts is considering a vaccine verification system.
Gov. Charlie Baker said Thursday that Massachusetts could look to create a statewide vaccination identification system similar to what some other states have already implemented.
"We've been talking to those folks and working through how that would work here in the Commonwealth," he said during an appearance on GBH radio. "I certainly think it's going to be an important thing to have."
WATCH ANYTIME FOR FREE
 |
Stream NBC10 Boston news for free, 24/7, wherever you are. |
He said it's getting to the point where it makes sense to have an easy process for people to prove they have been vaccinated in case they don't have access to their vaccination card.
Get updates on what's happening in Boston to your inbox. Sign up for our News Headlines newsletter.
Back in April, Baker had said there wasn't a need at that point for a vaccine passport.
"I want to vaccinate people. Let's get people vaccinated," he said at the time. "I think having a conversation about creating a barrier before people have even had an opportunity to be eligible to be vaccinated, let's focus on getting people vaccinated."
More on vaccine passports
Those comments came a little over a week after then New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo launched the Excelsior Pass program, a voluntary digital vaccination verification system that works with smartphones and can be used by participating residents and venues.
Other states, including California, Hawaii and New Jersey, now have them as well, while some states have banned vaccine passports or tried to discourage them.
More than 4.5 million people in Massachusetts have now been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
