Vaccine Passports

As the COVID-19 virus begins being curbed through mass vaccination campaigns, a glaring controversy has come to light: vaccine passports. A vaccine passport is essentially a form of identification that some countries will adopt, indicating a person has been vaccinated against the Coronavirus. Some countries, such as Israel, have already implemented their own vaccine passport policies. In Israel's case, it is the “green pass” that allows vaccinated persons to travel to Greece and Cyprus. China and Thailand have expressed desire to implement their own form of vaccine passports as well (Felter, 2021). However, the idea of vaccination passports has become controversial, specifically in the United States. So we must ask: is it ethical to require travelers to provide documentation of vaccination?

On one hand, vaccine passport adoption will further incentivize citizens to acquire a vaccine. Many people, but not all, have embraced the idea that vaccination campaigns will serve as the fastest way to return to pre-pandemic life. However, critics may argue that vaccine mandates alone violate rights of personal freedom, or set a dangerous precedent. Secondly, vaccine passports will provide people with opportunities that have not been available since the start of the pandemic in 2020. For example, travel opportunities will become more readily available, and vaccine passports will no doubt serve as a way to lift restrictions faster (Grover, 2021). Again, critics will object on the grounds that limiting travel and shutdowns is unethical in itself. There are many benefits to vaccination passports: businesses can open faster, people can return to work, go to their favorite ball games, travel, etc. But this question still remains – are vaccine passports ethical?

The objections to vaccine passports include: privacy violations, discrimination, potential fraud, as well as scientific concerns (Grover, 2021). One of the most common concerns in regards to vaccine passports is the idea that those who are not vaccinated will be discriminated against. Someone who has not received a vaccination and thus does not have a vaccine passport may not be able to travel on a plane for a vacation or to see a relative. On one hand, this is a form of discrimination to allow some citizens to travel and not others. However, the argument is often made that this form of discrimination is justified in order to protect the health of others. Critics of vaccine passport policy will often cite this as nonetheless an invasion of privacy. Many people view medical records as something that should remain completely confidential, and a vaccine passport does just the opposite. One objection to this argument is that since everyone is dealing with COVID-19 at the same time, and it is a new virus for all, confidentiality is far less important than protecting the health of the public.

The fear of vaccine passport fraud is something else to consider. Depending on how strenuous and secure the passport process is, people may be inclined to create and sell fake ones, use the names of others in order to travel, or go to great lengths to undermine the credibility of the program. Preemptively acquiring a vaccine will decrease the likelihood of vaccine passports being needed in the first place, as well as keep others safe. To learn more, visit GHI’s vaccine equity page at global-health-impact.org/new. Clearly, citizens have strong opinions about vaccine passports. It is a change in world travel and government involvement in the health of citizens. Do the positives of vaccine passports outweigh the negatives, or vice versa?

References:

1. Felter, Claire. “Vaccine Passports: What to Know.” Council on Foreign Relations, 7 Apr. 2021, www.cfr.org/in-brief/vaccine-passports-what-know?gclid=CjwKCAjw7J6EBhBDEiwA5UUM2lRrt5kYi7iphgoEWAa7wTSV5hvOtBj1fQiQS-o1Cp1NZorcsNuzYBoCijkQAvD_BwE.
2. Grover, Natalie. “What Are the Pros and Cons of Covid Vaccine Passports?” The Guardian, 15 Feb. 2021, www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/14/what-pros-and-cons-covid-vaccine-passports-immunity-certificates-travel. “Q&A Detail.” World Health Organization, 2021, www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/coronavirus-disease-(covid-19)-vaccines?adgroupsurvey={adgroupsurvey}&gclid=CjwKCAjw7J6EBhBDEiwA5UUM2gpP6oVk9zIWt4vI1Cp9C4bf4PpRzUPMXmQq9Ikijvq96j8787qduRoCbDEQAvD_BwE.