Here’s what to know about vaccine passports
When travelers venture back out, many — especially those flying overseas — will need to manage new requirements to prove they’ve tested negative for COVID-19 or received a vaccine.
Travel industry trade groups, airlines and others are developing so-called vaccine passports to make it easier to navigate changing rules. Most are in early stages or used only in certain destinations, though their creators say they are working to expand use. What’s less clear is whether any will emerge as a standard accepted broadly worldwide.
In the meantime, here’s what you need to know.
What is a vaccine passport?
A vaccine passport is a record of a traveler’s Covid-19-related health data, including whether they have been vaccinated or tested negative for the coronavirus.
Some countries required visitors to show proof of certain vaccinations, such as yellow fever, before COVID-19, but the digital systems being developed would be more efficient than the current paperbased system, said Perry Flint, a spokesman for the International Air Transport Association, a trade group for airlines.
The association said the app it’s developing is focused on COVID-19 requirements but that it has the potential to cover additional vaccines.
The apps also provide information to help travelers navigate COVID-19 travel restrictions, including the type of test required at their destination.
Who’s making them?
The IATA is developing an app called Travel Pass that is meant to be used by any airline. Another, Commonpass, is a project from the World Economic Forum and the Commons Project Foundation, a nonprofit that develops technology for public use.
Clear, a service that lets members use biometrics to verify their identity at airport security, has a Health Pass app. Some airlines have their own versions.
How does it work?
That depends on the app. In addition to sharing information on travel requirements and testing sites, some ask users to upload health records.
Others, including Commonpass, let users connect to lab results and vaccination records through the app, which Paul Meyer, CEO of the Commons Project Foundation, said helps prevent tampering. Users get a QR code they can show an airline before boarding or at customs, if their destination accepts the app as proof they meet the requirements to enter.
Clear uses Commonpass’ technology to link to users’ health records. On certain United Airlines and Delta Air Lines flights from Los Angeles to Hawaii, Clear Health Pass users who meet Hawaii’s negative test requirements get a wristband at the gate that allows faster processing on arrival. There is a fee to use Clear at airport security, but Health Pass is free.
Do I need one to travel?
No. The World Health Organization said last month that it does not support making vaccination mandatory for international travel because it’s not yet clear how effective vaccines are at preventing transmission of the coronavirus and because access to vaccines is limited.
Then there’s the question of whether digital vaccination certificates will be widely accepted.
The WHO is working to create a framework for a certificate — something that would help ensure any individual app is widely accepted as proof a traveler meets health requirements, said Flint, the IATA spokesman.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation, a digital rights nonprofit, has raised concerns about equity because worldwide access to the vaccine remains limited.
“It’s creating a society of haves and have-nots, who can come in and who can’t,” said Alexis Hancock, EFF’S director of engineering.
Where can they be used?
Most vaccine passports are still being developed or are in use only at certain destinations.
In addition to flights between Los Angeles and Hawaii using Clear, Commonpass
is being used on Jetblue flights from Boston to Aruba, which requires a negative COVID-19 test. The Commons Project Foundation is working with other airlines and is in talks with about 30 countries in hopes of broadening access, Meyer said.
The IATA has been testing its app and expects it to be available by late March or early April. Airlines could also integrate portions of the IATA’S app into their own, Flint said.
Some currently only accept COVID-19 test records. Clear said it will begin validating vaccine records soon, and United plans to start letting customers flying to eligible destinations upload and store vaccination records using its app in early April.
Do you still need other records?
Yes. United and American Airlines encourage passengers to bring additional documentation of negative tests even if their results have been verified through the airlines’ apps because international destinations may require additional proof that their requirements have been met.