New York state's Excelsior Pass platform is now available to those who got a COVID-19 vaccine in a Veterans Affairs facility.  

Gov. Kathy Hochul said making the platform widely accessible is important heading into a winter surge.

"As we fight the winter surge, it's more important than ever that New Yorkers get vaccinated and have access to the Excelsior Pass," Gov. Hochul said. "From health care to housing, New Yorkers who served our country deserve care and respect when they return home. That's why I'm proud to announce hundreds of thousands of New York veterans will now be able to utilize the Excelsior Pass, so they can share proof of vaccination and be easily welcomed into businesses and venues across the state."

There are more than 700,000 veterans living in New York with more than 117,000 of them eligible for the Excelsior Pass.

The app is available in more than 10 languages.

It's the first tool to validate vaccination passes issued by other U.S. states along with the provinces and territories of Canada.