The requirement of proof of vaccination against Covid-19 may be another point of contention between Canada and the United States, but also between Europe.
Opinion polls show large divergences in perceptions about “vaccine passports”.
Recently, both in Canada and the United States, as well as in Europe, the topic of free travel has been coming back. At present, local restrictions make travel virtually impossible for the average person.
In March, the Association for Canadian Studies and the Canadian Institute for Health Research associated with the University of Manitoba conducted an internet survey. They found that 52% of the votes from Canada were in favour of showing proof of vaccination, compared to 43% of the Americans. 36% of Americans were against the idea compared to 33% of Canadians.
On Tuesday, the White House said it would not introduce a federal requirement, while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau signalled to consider the idea. Prime Minister Trudeau said on Tuesday that he would continue to work with Canada’s partners in the US and internationals to get it right. He said this in the context of the opening of the border between Canada and the US.
“We have already seen the importance of proof of vaccination for international travel … in a pre-pandemic period in recent years. It will surely be important, but the details of what we are going to do about it, we are still fine-tuning,” said Trudeau.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki was clear in her message when she strongly ruled out the idea on Tuesday. She pointed out that in a country that prioritizes individual values, requiring proof of vaccination would be a difficult thing to sell.
“The government is not supporting now, and we will not support a system that requires Americans to have credentials,” said Psaki. She also said that a priority for the White House would be to protect the “privacy and rights” of US residents so that these systems are not used unfairly against people. She said there would be no federal immunization database, and no federal mandate requiring everyone to obtain one certificate – the vaccination passport.
Meanwhile, in Europe, preparations are underway for the presentation by the European Commission (the equivalent of the government in Europe) of a “digital green pass”, as vaccine passports are referred to there. They would be designed to allow one to travel freely across the continent, but also to other countries with which the EU is negotiating, including Canada.
There are many doubts there – some Member States, incl. France are against this solution. The idea is supported by southern European countries, largely dependent on tourism, with Spain leading the way. The very concept raises many doubts. Reservations are made, among others, by France, Germany and WHO – World Health Organization.
The subject of the vaccine passport may come up sooner than we realize. Despite public assurances by state representatives. Advances in vaccination within societies can accelerate the process.