Are ‘vaccine passports’ a new concept?
Travel documents offering proof of inoculations against various contagious diseases have been in use for decades. The first standardized vaccine certificates for international travelers were developed for smallpox, under a 1944 U.N. program.
Today, individual countries decide what vaccines are required or recommended for travelers, according to the World Health Organization. In recent years, requirements have generally eased in line with overall global health advances. The U.S. has no current vaccination requirements for any arriving travelers. India’s current rules require a certificate for anyone arriving within six days of leaving “a yellow fever endemic area.”
The coronavirus pandemic appears likely to change that. Governments, airlines and industry groups are beginning to discuss how to best implement digital documentation of inoculation against COVID-19 and/or recent test results.
