VACCINE PASSPORTS

A GUIDE TO THE OPTIONS NOW AVAILABLE

- HANNAH BRANDLER

As vaccinations are rolled out in many parts of the world, discussions continue about the possibility of having some kind of “vaccine passport” to prove that travellers are protected against COVID-19.

The digital passports are likely to appear as apps on smartphones and will document the health status of travellers, keeping a record of both vaccination and negative COVID-19 tests.

These would have to be recognised by individual governments to allow international travel.

Several companies and international bodies are currently suggesting a variety of technological solutions to document and verify travellers’ health status. Here, we round up the various “passports” on trial at the moment.

AOKpass

Who’s behind it? The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has collaborated with International SOS and the SGS Group to create this digital, secure and portable copy of medical records.

How does it work? Once individuals have medical results, they can enter the information into an app to create a pass. A unique code is generated and shown to the individual and their medical practitioner for them to verify the information. They will then be able to show the QR code for verification at airports.