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Vaccine passports during the COVID-19 pandemic

A vaccine passport or proof of vaccination is an immunity passport employed as a credential[1] in countries and jurisdictions as part of efforts to control the COVID-19 pandemic via vaccination. A vaccine passport is typically issued by a government or health authority, and usually consists of a digital or printed record. Some credentials may include a scannable QR code, which can also be provisioned via mobile app. It may or may not use a COVID-19 vaccine card as a basis of authentication.

The use of vaccine passports is based on the general presumption that a vaccinated individual would be less likely to transmit SARS-CoV-2 to others, and less likely to experience a severe outcome (hospitalization or death) if they were to be infected, thus making it relatively safer for them to congregate. A vaccine passport is typically coordinated with policies enforced by individual businesses, or enforceable public health orders, that require patrons to present proof of vaccination for COVID-19 as a condition of entry or service.


Government-mandated use of vaccine passports typically applies to discretionary public spaces and events (such as indoor restaurants, bars, or large-scale in-person events, such as concerts and sports), and not essential businesses, such as retail stores or health care. In France, Italy,[2] Ireland,[3] and Canada,[4] vaccine uptake increased after various levels of governments announced plans to introduce vaccine passports. An intention by some jurisdictions is to prevent future lockdowns and restrictions.[5]


Vaccine passports are controversial and have raised scientific, ethical and legal concerns.[6][7] Critics have also argued that vaccine passports violate civil liberties via coercion.[8] In the United States, there is no vaccine passport at a federal level, and some US states have preemptively banned vaccine passports in certain public and private sector contexts, citing discrimination and privacy concerns.[9] England initially decided against mandating vaccine passports due to worries that discrimination and economic harm would occur, but later joined the other nations of the United Kingdom in mandating vaccine passports due to the threat of the Omicron variant.

has created a Proof of vaccination system which utilises a QR code. The system initially relied on paper receipts of the BC vaccine receipt and gradually migrated to a digital system. The QR code can also be physically printed out.[112]

British Columbia

requires a Proof of Vaccination system using original immunisation records.[113]

New Brunswick

has plans to release a QR code based system for their vaccine passport.[114]

Newfoundland and Labrador

has a Proof of Full Vaccination Policy using original government issued proof of vaccination.[115]

Nova Scotia

introduced a vaccine passport system on 22 September 2021. The system initially relied on original vaccine paper receipts, but gradually began switching over to verifiable QR codes along with the introduction of the "Verify Ontario" mobile app on 22 October 2021.[116] As of 4 January 2022, only vaccine receipts with verifiable QR codes and the "Verify Ontario" mobile app will be accepted at venues where proof of vaccine is required.[117]

Ontario

uses the PEI Vax Pass Program using original government issued vaccination information.[118]

Prince Edward Island

has a Proof of vaccination mandate, effective from 1 October 2021 to 13 February 2022.[119][120][121]

Saskatchewan

territory will implement a passport system on 30 November 2021 to access non-essential indoor facilities.[122]

Yukon

COVID-19 vaccine card

COVID-19 vaccine

Deployment of COVID-19 vaccines

Electronic health record

Living with COVID-19

Patient record access

Vaccination requirements for international travel