SAN FRANCISCO (KRON/AP) – The California Department of Public Health on Friday launched a new Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record system for vaccinated Californians.

The tool allows those who are vaccinated to access their record from the state’s immunization registry systems.

With nearly 20 million people fully vaccinated in California and proof of vaccination already required in some circumstances such as travel, state health officials felt there would be demand for the tool, though it remains optional, said Dr. Erica Pan, the state’s epidemiologist.

“While CDPH recommends that vaccinated Californians keep their paper CDC card in a safe and secure place, we recognize that some people might prefer an electronic version,” said California State Epidemiologist Dr. Erica Pan. “And if one of the state’s nearly 20 million vaccinated Californians misplaces their paper card, the Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record provides a convenient backup.”

Here’s how it works.

All you have to do is enter your name, date of birth, and an email or mobile phone number associated with your vaccine record on the website.

After you create a four-digit PIN, you will receive a link to your vaccine record that will open up once you re-enter your PIN.

The record shows the same information as the paper CDC vaccine card: name, date of birth, date of vaccinations, and vaccine manufacturer. It also includes a QR code that makes these same details readable by a QR scanner. Once the digital record is received, individuals are encouraged to screenshot the information and save it to their phone files or camera roll.

“We worked with CDPH, tech industry leaders, and consulted with California’s top businesses, service and event purveyors to create a system that works well for all sectors,” said Amy Tong, State CIO and Director of the California Department of Technology. “We achieved our goal to quickly produce an intuitive portal that offers Californians another way, and an easier way, to access their own COVID-19 immunization history.”

Following a drop in COVID-19 infections and rise in vaccinations, California lifted many pandemic-related restrictions this week, though everyone must continue to wear masks in some places such as mass transit and health facilities.

You can learn more about the online tool on the state’s COVID website.

If you need to correct or update your immunization record, visit the website here.

Vaccinated people are no longer required to wear masks at most indoor locations, though the unvaccinated still must do so. Businesses can choose whether to operate on an honor system for who must wear face coverings, require everyone to wear them or use a vaccine verification system.

California is giving residents quick access to their individual records in a database the state already maintains on immunizations, which residents could already get by making a request, said Amy Tong, director of the state’s department of technology.

Businesses that use a QR scanner would see the same information as residents — their name, birthdates and vaccination details, she said. They would not be able to store the data for future use.

California officials said the tool is not mandatory, and refrained from using the word passport — which has become a politically-fraught term — in the announcement.

Lucy Dunn, president and chief executive of the Orange County Business Council, said businesses want an option for vaccine verification so they can take measures to keep their workers and customers safe, especially since paper records can more easily be falsified.

“It helps keep us informed as to who is vaccinated and not,” she said. “It’s voluntary, personal, protected and as easy as adding it to your smart phone’s digital wallet like an airline boarding pass.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.