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Currently, in the UK, anyone who has had a Covid-19 jab has received a vaccination card with those details going on their medical records. However, other countries are now considering alternative ways of individuals showing their status (Vaccine Passport). This has led to the suggestion of adding a passport feature to the existing NHS ‘Track and Trace’ app, which will allow people to prove they have been vaccinated or have recently tested negative. 

Subsequently, European officials have announced plans for a “Digital Green Certificate” which would allow anyone vaccinated against Covid-19, who has tested negative, or recently recovered from the virus, to travel within the EU. There are hopes that this certificate will be in place before the summer tourist season.

The main objective of the EU pass is to allow travel (moving across borders) by this summer. This certificate (passport) will be either digital or on paper. The EU also wants to include non-EU countries including Norway, Iceland and Switzerland within their “Digital Green Certificate”. The digital certificate will also include a QR code that will contain personal data, the EU’s commission has also stated that this information with be safe and secure.  

Denmark’s Vaccine Passport

Denmark is planning on using its “Coronapas” vaccine passport domestically from Easter. Denmark has already a secure digital ID system called NemID, which the Coronapas will be linked to. NemID gives Dane’s access to various online platforms, including a digital listing of an individual’s health records and test results. 

The pass will subsequently play a key role in easing Danish Covid restrictions once all high-risk groups and over 50s are fully vaccinated. Sweden has been considering similar plans. 

Airlines have supported several tech solutions to verify passengers’ Covid vaccination or testing results, such as the IATA Travel Pass, the AOKpass from French travel-security company International SOS, and the CommonPass, which is currently being developed by a Swiss non-profit and the World Economic Forum. 

Singapore Airlines has begun a trial of IATA’s app, in addition to Qatar Airways. The world’s biggest tour operator TUI AG says vaccine passports will be key to resuscitating its business. In the U.S American Airlines Group Inc. Has signed on with the VeriFly app being rolled out by software company Daon. United has also developed its own in-house platform called “Travel Ready”, which will allow passengers travelling to certain destinations to upload vaccination records from early April. 

Along with the vaccine certificate having to adhere to common standards and regulations set by international organisations such as the WHO and the EU. It may also raise an array of privacy and human rights issues in relation to the security of user’s sensitive health data and if it will be re-purposed by their government. In addition to those individuals who have chosen to opt-out of the vaccination programme and whether it will affect their freedom to travel. Another security concern is that paper certificates are easier to fake, and apps can also be vulnerable to fraud. 

Here is an overview of the individual countries and travel companies that have also announced plans surrounding the vaccine passport: 

• Cyprus has stated that Britons who have has two jabs can visit from 01 May, without needing a negative test or the need to quarantine. 
• Greece will admit Covid-negative Israeli tourists using its “green” digital vaccine certificate. 
• Both Denmark and Sweden are developing vaccine passports. 
• Over-50’s holiday provider Saga has stated that passengers on holidays or cruisers must be fully vaccinated. 
• Cruise companies Virgin Voyages and Royal Caribbean have all passengers and crew will need to be vaccinated. 
• Australian airline Quantas has stated that travellers will need to prove they have had a vaccination. 
• British Airways plans to let people register their status on a smartphone app.