WHO Opposes COVID-19 Vaccine Passports... "Concerns Over Worsening Inequality and Injustice"

"Vaccination Rates Vary Greatly by Country...Inequality Will Be Imprinted"
"Cannot Know How Long Immunity Lasts"...Concerns Over Continued Spread

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed opposition to the formation of COVID-19 'vaccine passports' being discussed in the European Union (EU) and other regions, stating that it could cause serious inequality. Given the significant differences in vaccination rates between countries, it could reinforce international inequality, and with uncertainty about how long vaccine-induced immunity lasts, there are concerns it could actually worsen the spread of the virus.

According to the Associated Press on the 8th (local time), Michael Ryan, head of the WHO Emergency Response Team, said at a press briefing that the introduction of COVID-19 vaccine passports "should not be used for international travel from an ethical and practical understanding," emphasizing that "COVID-19 vaccinations are not sufficiently carried out worldwide, and it is clear that vaccinations are not being administered on an equitable basis." He added, "It could cause unfairness to people who cannot be vaccinated for specific reasons, and the requirement for vaccine passports will further engrain inequality and unfairness within the current system."

Ryan also stated, "We still do not know how long the immunity from currently authorized vaccines lasts, and related data is still being collected," adding, "There is a risk that it could worsen the spread." The medical community has also pointed out that it is unknown how long immunity lasts after vaccination, and that once immunity wanes, vaccinated individuals could potentially spread the virus again.

Ryan's remarks came as the EU is rushing to build a digital system for certifying vaccination proof. Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the EU executive branch, sent a letter to the 27 member countries on the 5th, emphasizing the urgency of legal and technical work to establish the system. The EU Commission is reportedly planning to complete the system within three months.

In particular, some European countries highly dependent on the tourism industry have already announced or are reviewing plans to introduce vaccination certificates before the summer tourist season. Greece recently began issuing digital vaccine certificates for medical purposes to those who have completed the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Sweden is also known to plan to introduce vaccine certificates by this summer.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.