Some voices express concerns that vaccine passports may promote discrimination
[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The UK is set to pilot the introduction of vaccine passports for citizens who have received the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations.
According to the UK daily The Telegraph on the 12th (local time), the issuance of vaccine passports is part of a trial by the National Health Service (NHS) to determine whether vaccine passports can facilitate smoother tracking of first and second dose recipients, initially involving several thousand people.
Managed by two public health officials from regional governments, this project will begin this month and continue through March, during the COVID-19 lockdown period. Innovate UK, the UK government's innovation agency, has so far provided ?75,000 (approximately 112 million KRW) in funding for the project.
The vaccine passport is a type of 'digital certificate' that proves an individual has received the COVID-19 vaccine.
In this trial, vaccine passports developed by biometric technology company iProov and cybersecurity firm Mvine will be used. Participants will receive their passports in the form of a mobile app.
Frank Joshi, founder of Mvine, explained that they initially were developing a passport indicating whether someone had undergone COVID-19 testing but shifted to vaccine passport development after receiving government support.
iProov and Mvine expect that if the trial concludes successfully, the issuance of vaccine passports could be expanded to millions of people.
Vaccine passports are expected to facilitate tracking of vaccinated individuals and help revitalize the travel industry. However, concerns have been raised that those unable to obtain the passport may face discrimination.
In particular, there are concerns that groups advised by the government not to receive the vaccine, such as pregnant women, could be adversely affected.
UK government officials have expressed differing views on vaccine passports so far.
Michael Gove, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, stated last month that "there are no plans to introduce vaccine passports," while Nadim Zahawi, UK Minister for COVID Vaccine Deployment, said, "We are looking into the relevant technology."
Later, Minister Zahawi reversed his stance, saying, "There are no plans for vaccine passports," adding, "Mandating vaccination is discriminatory and wrong."
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