Digital vaccine passports: Encouraging vaccination or violating human rights?

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• November 17, 2021

Digital vaccine passports, designed to verify COVID-19 vaccination or recent negative test results, have become a global trend, reshaping travel, commerce, and public life. However, this development has sparked debates over privacy, individual rights, and potential social inequality. As we navigate these challenges, the trend may drive technological innovation, create new job opportunities, and prompt shifts in policy and travel patterns.

Digital vaccine passport context

In July 2021, the European Union (EU) began the implementation of a mobile and paper-based vaccine certification system, designed to facilitate the crossing of EU borders without the need for restrictions or quarantine. This "passport" was available to individuals who have been vaccinated, recently tested negative for COVID-19, or have recovered from the virus. The system aimed to streamline travel and commerce within the EU, while also ensuring the safety of its citizens by reducing the risk of transmission. A real-world example of this was the implementation of a similar system in France, the UK, China, and Israel, where a digital vaccine passport was required to access public spaces, such as nightclubs, restaurants, and public transportation.

In North America, some provinces in Canada and states in the US also adopted their own versions of digital vaccine passports. These systems, while varying in specifics, generally operate on the same principle: providing proof of vaccination or recent negative test results to facilitate access to certain services or locations. This trend is not without its challenges, however. 

A 2022 study published in Healthcare highlighted the potential privacy concerns associated with centralized storage of patient-sensitive information, such as vaccination status or test results. The study proposed a system that uses blockchain technology to support health initiatives that can minimize the spread of COVID-19 infections, specifically in the context of verifying digital passports. The system uses smart contracts constructed and tested with Ethereum to preserve a digital health passport for test and vaccine takers.

Disruptive impact

The introduction of digital vaccine passports has indeed sparked a global debate, with concerns ranging from privacy issues to potential discrimination against those who are unvaccinated. For individuals, this trend could lead to a new normal where proof of vaccination becomes a prerequisite for participating in certain aspects of public life. In France, the Pass Sanitaire has been met with protests, demonstrating the potential for civil unrest as a result of these policies.

Companies, particularly those in the hospitality and travel sectors, may find themselves navigating a complex landscape of differing regional and national policies. In the US, where the White House has confirmed that it will not be issuing a national digital vaccine passport, businesses may need to develop their own policies regarding proof of vaccination for customers. This trend could lead to a patchwork of requirements across the country, potentially complicating interstate commerce and travel. However, it could also spur innovation, with businesses developing new systems and technologies to verify vaccination status efficiently and securely.

On a governmental level, balancing the need to protect public health with respecting individual rights and freedoms is a delicate task. The mixed responses from politicians, such as Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison's indecision and Ontario Premier Doug Ford's change of stance, reflect the complexity of this issue. Governments may need to consider alternative strategies, such as providing more accessible and affordable testing options, to avoid potential discrimination against those who are unvaccinated.

Implications of digital vaccine passport

Wider implications of digital vaccine passports may include:

• More countries requiring digital vaccine passports for non-domestic tourists. 


• Service establishments, such as malls and restaurants, creating separate sections for the vaccinated and unvaccinated.


• More companies requiring employees to have digital vaccine passports or risk termination.


• The public experiencing impaired public services in the near term as government agencies and emergency services are forced to layoff or dismiss a significant percentage of the public workforce who refuse to vaccinate.


• A shift towards a more digitized health system, leading to the development of new technologies and platforms for managing and verifying health data.


• The creation of new job opportunities as the demand for digital health solutions and data management systems increases.


• The emergence of new political debates and policy challenges, as governments grapple with balancing public health needs with individual rights and freedoms.


• The potential for changes in travel patterns, as countries with high vaccination rates may become more attractive destinations.


• The reduction in physical documentation leading to less paper waste and lower carbon emissions associated with their production and disposal.

Questions to consider

• Do you think digital vaccine passports are a violation of human rights? Why or why not?


• Aside from digital vaccine passports, how else do you think countries could manage mobility during a pandemic?