It is important to differentiate between a vaccine certificate, the purpose of which is to provide evidence that a particular vaccine has been administered to a certain individual on a certain date, with the notion of an immunity certificate which might exempt people from public health measures on the basis that the person is purportedly immune to SARS-CoV-2.
As well as providing a record of vaccination, vaccine certificates also facilitate follow up of adverse events. The HSE is planning for the production of vaccine certificates at part of its implementation planning for a COVID-19 vaccination programme.
Immunity certificates are problematic on a number of grounds. It is not yet clear if the proposed vaccines for COVID-19 actually stop people getting the virus. It is also not clear whether the thresholds for protective immunity are the same in all groups e.g. older persons or those who are immunosuppressed.
On 17 March 2021, the European Commission published its proposal for a Regulation to introduce a ‘Digital Green Certificate’ to facilitate safe free movement inside the EU during the pandemic.
This proposed regulation lays down a framework for the issuance, verification and acceptance of interoperable certificates to facilitate people’s fundamental right to move and reside freely within the EU. Possession of a Digital Green Certificate shall not be a precondition to exercise free movement rights. Careful consideration is being given to the proposal and its many policy, ethical, infrastructural and operational implications across a number of sectors.
Vaccine/immunity certificates can be used in ways that may conceivably both restrict and promote the exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The Department is currently examining the impact such certificates could have on public trust and solidarity, as well as their potential for discrimination and stigmatisation of certain individuals/groups in society. Questions of national as well as international equity are being considered, as are the privacy implications of introducing such digital certificates. The ethical and human rights issues attendant to this issue will be considered as part of the broader policy position.
