Tony Blair: "UK Must Lead Standardization of Vaccine Passports"

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has called for the UK to take the lead in discussions on standardizing 'vaccine passports' at the upcoming G7 summit in June.

According to the British daily The Telegraph on the 27th (local time), Blair said, "The UK should present the standardization of vaccine passports as a key agenda item at the G7 summit," adding, "If the lead is handed over to other countries or if each issues different vaccination certificates, it will cause confusion."

He explained that vaccine passports should include detailed information such as which vaccine the holder received and when, as well as COVID-19 test results.

Blair stated, "Using a single standard vaccine passport will allow borders to safely reopen, reconnect the world, and aid economic recovery," adding, "It will play a particularly important role in reviving the travel industry, which has been hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic."

He emphasized, "Without vaccine passports, it will ultimately be difficult to ease border controls," and "Since the UK is chairing this G7 summit, it should use this opportunity to lead the standardization of vaccine passports."