Governments and companies are considering a way for people to prove that they have been vaccinated against COVID-19. So-called “vaccine passports” can help you determine who can travel, stay in a hotel or even visit a bar.
In Israel, people who received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine can now obtain a “green pass” issued by the government, which shows their personal details and the dates of their vaccinations. The pass is being used to scan to enter gyms, hotels and shows. For more than 3 million Israelis, it is a return to some kind of normality.
“Finally! All the way in the car, I sing” Back to life! Back to reality, “an Israeli viewer told Roxana Saberi of CBS News.
THE UK. and other governments, including the United States, are considering similar COVID-19 immunity certificates to revive their tourism, business and hospitality sectors. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said his country is carefully considering the option.
“We didn’t have things like that before. We never thought of having something to show to go to a pub or theater. So there are deep and complex issues that we need to explore,” said Johnson.
Some experts are warning about ethical issues, such as potential discrimination against people who do not want a vaccine and those who cannot get it for medical reasons or because there is not enough supply.
Clare Wenham, assistant professor of global health policy at the London School of Economics, says data privacy is another concern.
“Is it something digital that tracks you? And that obviously opens up an entirely different range of conversations about the security of your data, for example,” she said.
Despite a keen interest in getting back to normal, Wenham said governments should carefully consider the potential pitfalls of vaccine passports before implementing them.
“Governments shouldn’t be in a hurry. I think it’s a Pandora’s box and I think it’s a slippery slope to have life being governed by your state of health,” said Wenham.
While governments are debating immunity certificates, companies are moving forward. Some cruises and airlines have announced that travelers will need proof of immunization to board.
The World Health Organization told CBS News that it is opposed to the requirement for travel vaccines, as long as the global supply of vaccines is limited and its ability to prevent the spread of the virus remains unclear.