[Global Focus] Vaccine Passports: Key to Normalcy or a Sign of Inequality

Issuance of Vaccination Certificates Allows Travel, etc.
Use via Smartphone App or Printed QR Code

Iceland First Issued in January; China Introduced Early This Month; EU from June
Interest from US, UK, and Southeast Asia

Concerns over Inequality and Privacy Invasion
Effectiveness Unclear Amid Variant Spread
WHO Opposes on Ethical and Practical Grounds

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] On February 28 (local time), at a hotel located near the Sea of Galilee in Israel. A week after the Israeli government introduced the COVID-19 vaccine passport 'Green Pass,' most of the hotel rooms were fully booked. The hotel manager told the British daily The Guardian, "Almost all rooms were occupied by Green Pass holders," adding, "Guests are happy and enjoying their freedom." From the day the Green Pass was introduced, the hotel resumed operations of its facilities such as the swimming pool and gym. However, the situation was not yet a full return to pre-COVID-19 normalcy. The coffee shop limited indoor capacity, and breakfast could not be eaten inside the restaurant.

Visits to indoor gym facilities remained sparse even after the Green Pass introduction. A gym user in his 50s said, "I came after a long time, but there weren't as many people as before, and the exercise equipment was spaced apart." A gym manager in Jerusalem stated, "Only 30% of registered members have returned," adding, "Most are over 50 and have received the Pfizer vaccine."

In the United States, NBC Chicago and others reported that COVID-19 vaccination record cards bearing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) logo are being sold on online secondhand trading sites like eBay for at least $15 up to $200. When ordering fake certificates, sellers fill in the name, vaccination date, and vaccine type and send them. On the darknet, the number of vendors selling fake vaccination certificates upon providing a name and desired vaccination date has surged recently. Cybersecurity company Check Point reportedly told the BBC, "Certificates are traded for $150 using Bitcoin."

A Golden Ticket to Return to Normal Life?

Worldwide, movements to introduce vaccine passports like the Green Pass are gaining momentum. A vaccine passport is a system where governments issue mutually recognized documents to people who have completed COVID-19 vaccination, allowing them to travel and more. Discussions about vaccine passports began early in the pandemic, even before COVID-19 vaccines were developed. While expected to be a 'golden ticket' to return to pre-pandemic normal life, concerns about deepening inequality, privacy invasion, and effectiveness remain significant.

A vaccine passport is a digital certificate that stores COVID-19 vaccination information such as vaccination date and vaccine type in a smartphone application, which can be used when entering other countries or crowded facilities like cinemas and concert halls. If a smartphone is unavailable, a scannable code like a QR code can be printed on paper for use. It was devised as a method to prove vaccination status when entering other countries or visiting public places such as cinemas, sports stadiums, and concert venues.

Vaccine passports first appeared in Europe. Iceland was the first country in the world to issue vaccine passports in January. The 27 member countries of the European Union (EU) decided to introduce vaccine passports starting June 15. This was the result of continuous calls for an EU-level response ahead of the summer vacation season by countries with significant tourism industries such as Greece, Portugal, and Spain. Thierry Breton, EU Commissioner for Internal Market, stated on France's RTL radio on the 28th (local time), "Travel across Europe will resume."

Countries with high vaccination rates like Israel, the United States, and the United Kingdom have already introduced or indicated plans to introduce vaccine passports. In Asia, the movement is also strong. On the 9th, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched a vaccine passport for its citizens called the 'International Travel Health Certificate.' The certificate, issued through WeChat, China's version of KakaoTalk, includes not only the type of COVID-19 vaccine and vaccination date but also nucleic acid test and serum antibody test results.

The Japanese government plans to launch a vaccine passport as early as next month. It will be usable not only by departing Japanese nationals but also by foreigners who have visited Japan when boarding aircraft or checking into overseas hotels. Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam, where tourism is a major industry, are also actively considering it.

Concerns about Inequality Between Countries and Individuals

However, there are many challenges to introducing internationally accepted vaccine passports. It could lead to discrimination against countries that have not secured vaccines, those lower in vaccination priority, and excluded groups. Concerns about privacy invasion, vaccine efficacy duration, and effectiveness against variants have also been raised.

The World Health Organization (WHO) opposes the introduction of vaccine passports. Michael Ryan, head of the WHO Emergency Response Team, emphasized, "Vaccine passports should not be used for international travel on ethical and practical grounds." He expressed concerns, saying, "Vaccines have not been sufficiently administered worldwide, and it is still unclear how long vaccine immunity lasts. Also, vaccine passport issuance strategies could be unfair to those who cannot be vaccinated, exacerbating systemic inequities."

The inequality highlighted by WHO can be understood in two aspects. Developed countries have secured most vaccine supplies, while the majority of the world has yet to start vaccination. According to The New York Times, as of the 28th (local time), out of about 240 countries worldwide, 102 countries have started COVID-19 vaccination, accounting for about 40%.

By continent, the vaccination rate per 100 people is highest in North America at 26.0%, followed by Europe (15.0%), South America (7.9%), and Asia (4.9%). Oceania and Africa are only 1.3% and 0.7%, respectively. This is why concerns arise that vaccine passports could discriminate against countries with low vaccination rates.

Inequality may also occur within developed countries. Pregnant women, infants and young children, and patients who cannot receive vaccines due to underlying conditions are excluded from benefits. People without smartphones or unfamiliar with their use may also be marginalized. The New York Times stated, "Inequality will deepen for billions who lack passports, birth certificates, or electronic devices like smartphones to download digital vaccine passports."

Concerns about Privacy Leaks and Unclear Effectiveness

Since vaccine passports are issued as digital certificates, concerns about privacy leaks exist. Although it varies by country, certificates usually contain the identity of the vaccinated person, vaccination status, COVID-19 test results, as well as medical, travel information, and movement history. Australian media The Conversation said, "Introducing vaccine passports is like placing surveillance cameras in people's lives," warning, "Basic rights could be violated, and vaccine passport app developers might misuse information."

There are also criticisms that vaccine passports cannot guarantee 100% proof of the holder's status. Currently, it is unknown how long COVID-19 vaccine immunity lasts, and there is a possibility of infection with variant viruses even after vaccination. In fact, studies in the United States have shown that the antibody effect of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines significantly decreases against variant COVID-19 strains from Brazil, Japan, and South Africa.