As countries increasingly roll out COVID-19 vaccines, vaccine passports are also expected to follow suit. We debunk this new document and analyse its impact. By Bayar Jain
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In an attempt to restart international tourism, the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) Global Tourism Crisis Committee is contemplating vaccine passports, reports The Guardian. Reportedly recommended during a meeting held in Madrid earlier this year, these e-vaccination certificates would affirm whether one is vaccinated against Coronavirus or not. As per Hindustan Times, individuals wishing to avail the vaccine passport could be required to upload details of their vaccine such as brand and dosage, and proof of dosage. The committee has reportedly called for international health and travel bodies to join hands for creating one such standardised digital system to facilitate the process, as well as harmonise testing protocols.
Meanwhile, sectors such as the aviation industry have teamed up with technology and health giants to introduce vaccine passes of their own, states CNBC. As per the report, Emirates Airlines has announced that it would use an app developed by International Air Transport Association (IATA)—Travel Pass—to verify whether passengers flying out of Dubai have undertaken COVID-19 tests. Economic Times notes that Denmark is already developing such vaccine passports, whereas Estonia is reportedly testing a ‘digital immunity passport’ to track patients who have recovered from the virus and subsequently gained immunity.
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However, not all are in favour of these vaccine passports. According to The Washington Post, few have raised concerns over how long the vaccine’s efficacy lasts. As no clear evidence has been provided on how long the immunity gained via a vaccine lasts, people have reportedly pointed out that such passports could create a “false perception of security from the virus that you might not have after a number of months.” Moreover, the equal distribution of such vaccines also poses a hurdle and whether leisure travellers should be given priority, states the report.
However, the biggest hurdle lies in the privacy of medical records. The Guardian points out that centralised systems—such as the ones proposed for vaccine passports—could exploit sensitive data and create privacy burdens. The report also notes that such systems could normalise identity checks, increase state-control, and “create a honeypot for cyber-criminals.”
Related: This Mumbai-based Travel Firm Has Come Up With A COVID Vaccine Tourism Package
