The European Centre for Infection Prevention is cautious about the vaccine passport

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has approved the principle of a Covid-19 vaccination record. When asked about the merits of such a document, the European agency states " It is important to bear in mind that, with the data currently available, this is not the case, we do not know whether the vaccine prevents infection and transmission of covid-19. The main aim of vaccination is to reduce the severity of the disease in those infected, but also to reduce the number of deaths and hospital admissions and the pressure on healthcare systems. "

In favour of the certificate...

The ECDC is in favour of a vaccination certificateThis would indicate whether a person has received the vaccine, the number of doses and the type of vaccine administered. The centre is in discussion with the European Commission and the World Health Organisation about a global approach to such a certificate for medical purposes.

" A structured and robust approach to vaccine information (whether through vaccination certificates, immunisation records or other means) is of paramount importance. Information about the person vaccinated and the period during which the vaccine was administered is essential to the success of the programme. On the other hand, it is important to distinguish between a vaccination certificate, created for the reasons mentioned above, and its use as a kind of "vaccination passport" for travel purposes. "

...but dubious about its use as a health passport

" At present, there is still too much uncertainty as to whether a person who has been vaccinated can become infected again. Or whether they remain contagious even though they are asymptomatic." explains the European Centre for Infection Prevention.

The ECDC raises another point. Could a vaccination certificate replace a PCR test in the future? The latter is in fact the sesame required by most countries for travel purposes. " We need to reassess this potential secondary use of the vaccination certificate when full data on impact and transmission are available, "says the ECDC.

The WHO has also issued the same recommendation. This is based on the conclusions of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee in 2005. The WHO stresses " not to introduce a requirement for proof of vaccination or immunity for international travel as a condition of entry. There are critical unknowns about the effectiveness of vaccination in reducing transmission. Added to this is the limited availability of vaccines." .

 " Nor should we forget that, at present, the vaccine is not available to everyone who wishes to be vaccinated." states the ECDC. In the meantime, the centre recommends that non-pharmaceutical countermeasures should not be lifted. Containment, for example.