Consumers can now have a digital vaccination certificate issued in over 13,000 pharmacies. However, there were failures, especially at the start on Monday. Many certificates could not be created as a result. “We then sent customers home. The system is unstable, ”says a pharmacist from Aalen when asked by FOCUS Online. Seniors in particular take up the offer in pharmacies.
As our editorial team learned, the server failures were due to the fact that many pharmacies first had to create a new password on Monday. Because that happened at the same time, nothing worked nationwide, especially in the morning hours. Even on Tuesday morning, several thousand passwords were created. In the meantime, there are always small failures that cause problems, especially when loading the pages and when sending the data.
Recovery certificates probably not until the end of June
FOCUS Online received several inquiries from desperate citizens on Monday. A large part of the pharmacy did not manage to have proof of a positive PCR test and vaccination deposited. According to the Robert Koch Institute, they are also considered “fully vaccinated”.
“We can’t do that at the moment,” says a pharmacist in Munich. “We received instructions, but the system will not be activated until later.” The main problem is that PCR tests are in circulation in different formats.
The new vaccination pass app is actually a certificate app. The program is intended to enable tested, vaccinated and recovered people to digitize their evidence. The app should be able to be used as evidence in case of relaxed corona restrictions and facilitate travel in Europe during the summer vacation time. Since last week, the app “CovPass“is available for all interested parties to download in the smartphone app stores. Alternatively, the QR code can also be stored in the Corona warning app embed.
With the app, on the one hand there should be a uniform rule within the EU, on the other hand it would no longer be possible to differentiate between vaccinated and tested people. Both groups of people then have the same rights when traveling, for example.
Germany had the “CovPass“App published a week ago. Since Monday, the QR codes from the vaccination sheets (or vaccination confirmations) can be scanned and converted into a digital certificate. By the end of June, tests and proof of recovery (positive PCR test) must also be converted into certificates in the app This does not seem to work so far. It is unclear when this will actually take place. One request went unanswered.
“Please leave the vaccination certificate there, we will contact you”
Because there are always minor failures, some pharmacies are now collecting the vaccination cards in order to check them carefully and not make customers wait unnecessarily. “Every now and then a certificate goes through, but most of them don’t. Have stacks here that we now have to work through one after the other, “says a Munich pharmacist when asked by FOCUS Online.
Our editorial team contacted pharmacies in several federal states on a random basis. Hardly any pharmacy was satisfied with the process so far. Nevertheless, all customers were served. “We don’t send anyone away without help.” It currently takes a lot of time to check the “yellow vaccination passports”. Some were provided without a stamp or were created without stickers. “The control of the vaccination cards is questionable if it is filled out so sloppily,” says a Munich pharmacist.
Pharmacy Association asks for patience
Dittrich recommended that not everyone rush to their pharmacy immediately. The pharmacies would also offer the service in the coming weeks. The yellow vaccination certificate will also remain valid. “Everyone who wants to have this digital vaccination certificate will also get it,” said the chairman of the German Pharmacists’ Association (DAV), Thomas Dittrich.