COVID-19: WHO REJECTS PROOF OF VACCINATION FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

The World Health Organization’s emergency committee said Monday it was against international travellers being required to have proof of vaccination, partly on grounds such a measure would deepen inequities, Channels Television reports.

This disclosure is contained in a statement issued by the WHO after the seventh meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee regarding the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which was convened by the global health body’s Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, on Thursday, April 15, 2021.

“Do not require proof of vaccination as a condition of entry, given the limited (although growing) evidence about the performance of vaccines in reducing transmission and the persistent inequity in the global vaccine distribution,” the committee said in a statement summarising its April 15 meeting, the results of which were only published on Monday.

“States Parties are strongly encouraged to acknowledge the potential for requirements of proof of vaccination to deepen inequities and promote differential freedom of movement,” the committee added.

The report also stated that the group’s recommendation comes as numerous countries are mulling launching vaccine passports for travellers but also for other activities including sports.

From the story the following submissions are established: 

-The idea, however, has met with criticism, with many saying it would lead to discrimination between young and old as well as rich and poor. Some have also raised privacy concerns.

-European Union member states have already agreed on vaccine certificates, China has launched a health certificate program for travellers and airline companies are also considering requiring vaccination proof.

-The United States for its part said earlier this month that it would not require vaccination passports but added that the private sector was free to explore the idea.

-The WHO’s emergency committee also discussed other issues during its meeting last week including increasing access to COVID-19 vaccines and reducing national and global inequities as far as access to vaccines.

-The committee also urged the WHO to accelerate research on the origins of the vaccine and called for better regulations on animal markets.

-In addition, it said “the sale or import of wild animals that pose a high risk of transmission of novel pathogens from animals to humans or vice versa” should be discouraged.

Moreover, the following are to be noted as a vital reference to this report:

• The European Union member states have already agreed on vaccine certificates, China has launched a health certificate program for travellers, and airline companies are also considering requiring vaccination proof.
• The US had earlier this month said that it would not require vaccination passports but added that the private sector was free to explore the idea.
• The WHO, for now, has only approved 3 vaccines for the coronavirus—the one manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech, the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine made in India and South Korea, and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.