Concern over the misuse of ‘proof’ cards

CIVIL liberties groups have expressed concern that the cards given to people after they have had a vaccination could result in them being misused in the future.

Health Minister Vaughan Gething announced that people who have received a coronavirus vaccine in Wales will be given a card detailing the date and type of the vaccination following the approval of the Pfizer/BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine by the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

In a written statement, Mr Gething said: “Those receiving a Covid-19 vaccination will be given a credit card-sized NHS Wales immunisation card, which will have the vaccine name, date of immunisation and batch number of each of the doses given handwritten on them.

“These will act as a reminder for a second dose and for the type of vaccine, and it will also give information about how to report side-effects.”

However, the human rights organisation Liberty has condemned the move.

Grey Collier, Liberty advocacy director, said: “Any form of immunity card raises more questions than it answers. It is currently unclear how these cards will be used, and whether people could be asked to use them to prove they have immunity.”

The group added that the use of the cards could evolve, meaning that people are not able to access essential services.

“Once cards like these have been created it would be easy for their use to be extended so they can be used like an immunity passport,” said Grey Collier.

“This could result in people who don’t have a card potentially being blocked from essential public services, work or housing – with the most marginalised among us hardest hit.”