ARE VACCINE CERTS THE ANSWER? LUKE O’NEILL
ARE VACCINE CERTIFICATES THE ANSWER?
People who can’t or won’t be vaccinated could be allowed to use antigen tests
Proposed move could lead to discrimination, with the rich free to travel while the poor remain restricted, writes Luke O’Neill
When you hear about vaccine certificates, they seem like the answer. When you’re fully vaccinated — meaning seven days after the second shot of the Pfizer/ BioNTech vaccine, 14 days after the second shot of the Moderna vaccine and 15 days after the second shot of the AstraZeneca vaccine — you might be given a certificate which will allow you to go almost anywhere.
The vaccines minister in the UK, Nadhim Zahawi — yes, you read that right, they even have a minister for vaccines — has said that it would be remiss of the government not to consider this in order to allow the economy to fully reopen.
You read that right, too. He thinks a vaccine certificate will allow the UK to fully reopen the economy. They are planning for vaccine certificates to allow people to return to theatres, nightclubs and festivals. They will be trialled at upcoming events in the UK, including the FA Cup final, which will have 9,000 spectators in a stadium that can hold 90,000.
The vaccine, and the certificate that might go with it, might banish many of our worries. Worries about becoming infected or infecting others. Worries about jobs and livelihoods. Worries about our hair growing too long. Worries about travelling, or never attending a live sports event or gig.
Surely, you say, this is the answer? And yet politicians are being cautious. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said they won’t be deployed until well after indoor hospitality reopens on May 17. Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said she’s open-minded about them.
This is because there are concerns. One is discrimination. If vaccine certs are required to take part in community life, it might unfairly exclude people from a basic human right. Minorities in most countries are less likely to take a vaccine, mainly because they don’t trust their governments. Certificates might, therefore, lead to a form of vaccine apartheid, where disadvantaged people are excluded from places, including pubs and restaurants. No one wants that.
There is also a concern that vaccine supply might be used for people who mainly want to be vaccinated for travel or leisure, using up valuable supplies that could be used for the vulnerable, especially in developing countries.
Some also consider it unethical that those in rich countries who will be vaccinated will be able to travel wherever they want, while those in poorer countries will have their movements restricted, not unlike under a totalitarian regime. This would act to limit economic development in vulnerable countries.
Ways around these issues include vaccinating people on arrival with a one-shot vaccine such as that developed by Johnson & Johnson, or allowing proof of infection to be given equal standing as vaccination. These aren’t ideal.
Experts are also warning that a vac
cine certificate can’t be viewed as an ‘immunity passport’. This is because we’re still not fully sure how long immunity lasts after vaccination. Concerns that even if you’re vaccinated you might still spread the virus has recently been allayed somewhat, with data showing that vaccines stop transmission by as much as 90pc.
A strong argument in favour of them is that people who might otherwise be reluctant to be vaccinated — for example, young people — might relent if it means they can travel and get access to entertainment venues.
Vaccine certificates might be a way to encourage the reluctant to become vaccinated, thus speeding up the demise of Covid-19. However, it could backfire if reluctant people somehow feel they are being forced into vaccination.
Whatever you think about them, they are likely to be coming soon. The EU has backed introduction of a ‘Digital Green Certificate’ which aims to get travel moving across borders. Legal and technical aspects are currently being sorted.
The certificate will allow anyone who is vaccinated and who has recently tested negative to travel anywhere in the EU. A QR code will be used to ensure they are secure.
Two things are needed: access to a country’s official record of vaccinations, and a watertight method of identifying someone and linking them to their vaccination record. There will be worries about a breach of privacy. This might prove problematic in Ireland. Remember the controversy over the Public Services Card?
Some countries in the EU are developing their own.
Denmark is planning on issuing a ‘Coronapas’ for use domestically but also possibly for international travel. It is planning on lifting most of its restrictions on May 21. It is using full vaccination of all vulnerable people and those over 50 as the starting gun for the reopening.
In the US, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is already issuing ‘vaccination cards’, some of which are already being used by airlines.
An app is in development by the International Air Transport Association in the US which should be available for Apple and Android users very soon. It will allow passengers to create a ‘digital passport’, upload official test and vaccination certificates, verify that they are sufficient for where they want to fly to, and then share the certificate with the airline when they book their ticket.
Sounds complicated right, but I bet you’d do it if it allowed you to travel overseas? 21 airlines have signed up.
IBM is devising its own ‘Health
Pass’ to allow staff to return to the workplace as well as travel for work. New York City is about to introduce the ‘Excelsior Pass’, which will be accepted at sports and entertainment venues.
Israel is the first country to issue them. Nearly everyone has had one shot of a vaccine and over half the population are fully vaccinated. A ‘Green Pass’ can be used for access to hotels, gyms and theatres.
Israel has also struck a deal with Greece to allow for travel between the two countries for those with the pass.
There are restrictions, however.
Foreign nationals can’t get one, nor can those without health insurance.
What about Ireland? Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has suggested vaccine certificates “could open the way to resuming hospitality, the arts and live events safely”. The Government has said it is “early days” but is said to be working on a plan. The Irish Council for Civil Liberties is against the idea and has stated that it will give rise to a twotier society.
And yet there might be solutions to these issues. People who can’t or won’t be vaccinated could instead be allowed to use on-the-spot antigen testing instead. It seems almost certain that a vaccine certificate will be needed for travel, certainly if the EU gets its way.
This is the next issue to occupy our airwaves, as we move towards millions of people being vaccinated. It’s not the worst problem to have.
A poll on this issue might help. A recent poll in the UK carried out by Ipsos MORI found 78pc support their use for travel and care home visits; 68pc support their use to attend the theatre. People are inclined to be in favour of them if they allow for activities that are optional rather than essential for everyday life.
Imagine having a nice, shiny vaccine cert in your passport as you head to the airport for a well-earned holiday? Let the planning begin.