Anyone who has been vaccinated twice and also received the booster vaccination is considered to have been boosted and, according to the current rules (as of January 24, 2022), do not have to provide proof of a test for 2G+ events. The problem: Those who have recovered and who have been vaccinated once with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine can also have boosters. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), only the CovPass app knew nothing about it for a long time. The application was previously only able to display a vaccination with the substance from Johnson & Johnson with a subsequent booster as “Vaccination 2 of 2” (2/2). It is not clear whether this is the basic immunization or a booster. Recovered patients with a booster were also affected.
CovPass app for Huawei devices
CovPass update helps those who have recovered
The CovPass app, which the RKI publishes, now solves the problem with an update. Corresponding vaccinations no longer appear as 2/2, but as 2/1 and thus as a booster. (Even if the Standing Vaccination Committee has also recommended a third vaccination for Johnson & Johnson vaccinates since January 13, 2022). The publisher does not inform about the new function via the App Store or the Google Play Store, instead there is a reference to GitHub. Here the app developers provide detailed information about new functions in each version. For normal users, however, this is not so easy to understand.
New start screen for CovPass
In the app stores there were only indications of changes that the developers had integrated in exchange with the community. The only “real” information: With the update to version 1.16, the start screen has changed. It now displays less personal information. It is no longer known whether users have been vaccinated or have recovered. In addition, the app no longer shows the time for the full vaccination on the start page. This should increase data protection and encourage examiners to use the CovPassCheck app.
CovPassCheck app still doesn’t know Booster
The test app, on the other hand, is still unable to display booster vaccinations. It still “only” states whether a certificate is valid or not. This continues to cause problems in everyday life. As mentioned, users with a refresher do not need to show proof of a test, but can only show that they have been boosted by showing an overview of all the certificates stored. Curious: Here you will not only find all your personal data, but also the instruction to have the certificate scanned exclusively with the CovPassCheck app.
However, rescue is in sight: at the beginning of February 2022, the developers want to make an update available with which the application will then recognize the booster and the 2G+ status.