Vaccine passports?

[Heatheronthehill]

I just read an article (it was the metro though) saying that they may be the key to opening pubs. Restaurants, theatres etc. I’m 31, not in an at risk or vulnerable category. So I’ll be one of the last to get it most likely. Does this mean I won’t be able to go to pubs, restaurants and so on until I’ve had my vaccine? That could be after the summer ? But everyone who has been vaccinated can? So I’ll miss out on a whole summer. I don’t understand.

I hope not, I will be getting mine quite soon, (over 60) but DS is 29 and I wouldn't like to think that I could go out and he couldn't, he goes to these places much more than me anyway it would be very unfair. I would have thought they wouldn't have this in place until everyone is vaccinated anyway and then it would discriminate against those that can't have it for any health reasons.

I think this would be more likely once everyone over 18 has been offered the vaccine, if there hasn't been sufficient uptake.

I really doubt this will happen.
Maybe if you want to travel to certain countries? But not within the UK.

By the time everyone is vaccinated this year we will have to start the next years vaccinations.

It was mentioned a couple of weeks ago in a couple of publications that despite Gove saying categorically no to vaccine passports, they are being trialed with a new app.

Cabinet minister Michael Gove last month said there were no plans to use vaccine passports to allow people to return to hospitality venues such as pubs and restaurants.

But health minister Nadhim Zahawi said the government was “looking at the technology”, adding that it could be used by venues in a similar way to the test and trace app.

and

The move comes after the Ada Lovelace Institute today launched an open call for evidence as part of a review into the use of vaccine passports.

The review, chaired by UCL’s professor of health care law Sir Jonathan Montgomery, will examine the legal, ethical, scientific and economic impact of the technology.

www.cityam.com/uk-to-trial-covid-19-vaccine-passports-with-new-app/

and behind a paywall:

www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2021/01/12/exclusive-vaccine-passports-trialled-thousands-britons/

I doubt very much that this will come in.

But excluding some people because of health status is I'm afraid very much established as acceptable during this pandemic. And when you think there's even the slightest risk you might be the ones advised or legally directed to stay home when others are out and about, well it stinks, doesn't it?

Spare a thought for the millions who've had the shit end of that stick for nearly a year now

It's just an idea being bandied about. Far too early to be worrying about it. Should sort out the Covid deniers though.

Since we don't actually know that the vaccine prevents disease or transmission (only that it significantly reduces the risk of serious illness) then this would make no sense. Surely you could have asymptomatic vaccinated people just as you have asymptomatic unvaccinated people.

Anyway I don't think a situation where young people were banned from bars and restaurants while the over seventies dined out would last very long. There would be riots in the streets.

If the uptake of vaccines by BAME[hate that word] stays low, a passport could end up being seen as racist.
Plus there are certain health groups who cant have the vaccines, assuming I am still right on that.
So I think the likelihood is low at present.

@starfish4

I think this would be more likely once everyone over 18 has been offered the vaccine, if there hasn't been sufficient uptake.

This. I think that unless there is enough uptake to allow for herd immunity it may be something the government resorts too. But not before everyone is offered the vaccine.

It would have to be once every adult has been offered a vaccine or there will be uproar from the younger groups. It would be so unfair in those who are younger so very low risk, who have had to put their lives on hold, who’ve lost jobs and businesses, haven’t been able to date, have young children out of school, to protect the older and vulnerable groups, to then be told they can’t go out but these groups can.