Guardian: What are the pros and cons of Covid vaccine passports?

20 February 2021
Vector cartoon stick figure drawing conceptual illustration of crowd of people walking on the street, with facial masks to protect yourself from pollution of coronavirus virus infection.

The UK government is reconsidering the idea of certificates of vaccination to help reopen travel and business

Desperate to return to pre-pandemic normality, many countries where vaccination campaigns for Covid-19 are in full swing are considering endorsing “vaccine passports” to reignite international travel and reopen economies.

A week ago, the UK government ruled out plans for such passports – with vaccine minister Nadhim Zahawi calling them “discriminatory” – but on Sunday, the foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, said the documents were “under consideration”. Labour politicians have advocated their introduction, with the former prime minister Tony Blair making the case for domestic vaccine passports in this week’s Mail on Sunday. So what are the pros and cons of such “immunity certificates”?

Reade the full article on the Guardian website

“Could it be used in ways that are unfair, that are stigmatising, and that are prejudicial to the interests of individuals? Exactly how it is put into practical effect would also raise reasonable ethical concerns …”

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