A vaccine passport is a virtual, or actual document certifying the person it mentions has protection against named infections. However, this is nothing new. Travelers have carried yellow cards certifying immunity against yellow fever, cholera or rubella for decades. But that was only if they visited areas where those diseases are rife. Today we share what a vaccine passport is, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
More Info About What a Vaccine Passport Is and Does
A COVID vaccine passport confirms the named bearer has immunity against the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the world. Or should we rather say a degree of protection powerful enough to justify having a vaccination. The passport could be on a phone app, or a small paper card.
That’s a broad enough explanation of what a vaccine passport is. Because what it does is actually more important. The virulence of the delta variant has convinced some authorities to limit access for people without vaccinations. They might not be able to enter restaurants and night clubs in future. Even countries where they are not citizens.
How ‘Infection-Tight’ Are These Vaccine Passports?
The current state of COVID-19 vaccines is they do not 100% prevent viral transfer between people. However, they are sufficiently effective to slow the pandemic to manageable proportions. If we run out of intensive care beds, people could die because of a lack of treatment for many diseases and injuries. Nobody wants that.
But why then is World Health Organization against vaccine passports for travelers? Here are its reasons, please judge for yourself:
1… COVID vaccines are still scarce in some countries. Why should wealthy travelers have priority?
2… Immunity is not 100% after vaccination or having the disease. In fact vaccine effectiveness varies.
Most nations have not implemented vaccine passports, arguably for political reasons. Although some businesses are implementing similar access controls. Vaccine passports may not be 100% effective. However, they do offer far better protection than refusing the vaccine. And that is a good start!
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Preview Image: Italian Health Pass from 1611
