New York to close down its $64 million COVID vaccine app
NEW YORK — A $64 million cellular app utilized by New Yorkers through the pandemic to indicate proof of vaccination or a unfavourable COVID-19 check might be shut down within the coming weeks, in line with state officers.
The Excelsior Pass app, a digital relic of the pandemic, has hardly ever been used through the previous two years, nevertheless it prices the state not less than $200,000 a month to keep up, in line with the Times Union of Albany. The app might be decommissioned on July 28, and state officers say the saved private information will stay “private and secure.”
The app was launched in 2021 and was utilized by 11.5 million folks. It saved an individual’s vaccination standing towards the coronavirus and will rapidly point out whether or not somebody was updated with vaccine necessities for admittance to sure locations like outside eating eating places or main leisure venues.
“Because demand for instant access to vaccine records has subsided and the public health emergency has ended, the Excelsior Pass app will be discontinued,” Hazel Crampton-Hays, a spokeswoman for Gov. Kathy Hochul, mentioned in an announcement. “Going forward, the state will use knowledge gained from this project to improve how New Yorkers can use technology to access services and benefits.”
Content Source: www.washingtontimes.com