With COVID-19 vaccine mandates looming in Boston and other cities, state officials on Monday launched a much-anticipated tool to give Massachusetts residents access to digital proof of their vaccination status. Gov. Charlie Baker said in September that state officials were consulting with other states that already had a digital vaccine identification system and he confirmed the state was working on its system in late November. The tool unveiled Monday is part of a system, called SMART Health Card, which is already used by California, Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island and several other states. It is also connected to major pharmacies, including CVS, Walmart and Walgreens. Individuals will be able to request their card, which includes a scannable code and written information about their COVID-19 vaccinations. Restaurants, venues or other businesses will be able to read the printed information and download a free app to verify those codes.The verification app reminds users to confirm that the displayed name and birth date match the information on an individual’s government-issued ID. Information is verified against data stored in the Massachusetts Immunization Information System. Baker has said several times that he supports offering the tool but that he would not support a mandate requiring its use.In Boston, however, Mayor Michelle Wu’s administration is implementing a vaccination requirement for customers and employees of many businesses starting on Jan. 15. It will apply to indoor dining, bars, nightclubs, fitness centers and entertainment.As of Jan. 15, adults will be required to show proof of at least one vaccine dose. On Feb. 15, the requirement will be increased to full vaccination. Eligible children will be required to show proof of vaccination starting in March. After Boston’s requirement was announced, Salem’s Board of Health voted unanimously to implement a similar policy. To request a COVID-19 SMART Health Card, residents need to visit a new state website: https://myvaxrecords.mass.gov/After clicking “Find my vaccine record,” individuals will be asked to provide their name, contact information, birth date and gender. They will also need to create a 4-digit pin number. If a corresponding record is found, the system responds to the individual through text message or email with a link. Upon clicking on the link, the resident will be asked to provide their pin number. Once the code is verified, the individual will be taken to a page with their vaccination records and a button for their COVID-19 SMART Health Card. Clicking that button will open a screen containing a large QR code, the individual’s name, birth date and the dates of their COVID-19 vaccinations.The file can be downloaded to a smartphone or captured as an image. Those with iPhones using the Safari browser can also do a hard press on the QR code to open a menu that includes the option to add the information to the Apple Health app and, by extension, the Apple Wallet. SMART Health Cards are also available to be saved to an Android Phone home screen or Google Pay app.