EU CHIEF ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF BLOC-WIDE VACCINE PASSPORT SYSTEM

Wed 17 March 2021:

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has announced the setting up vaccination certificates amid concerns over slow vaccine rollout and shortages.

Dubbed “the Digital Green Certificate,” the proposal is set to facilitate the movement of people from one EU member state to another.

The certificate will provide information on COVID-19 vaccination, recovery and test results.

The EU will also coordinate with the World Health Organization for the certificates to be recognized outside Europe.

The bloc laid out a plan to finish technical work on the scheme within three months.

EU member states will prepare for the issuance and verification of the certificates.

The certificate will make sure that results … are mutually recognized in every member state, and with this digital certificate we aim to help member states reinstate the freedom of movement in a safe, responsible, and trusted manner,” von der Leyen said at a press conference.

The EU aims to vaccinate 70% of its adult population by the end of the summer. But critics of vaccine certificates have cited the slow vaccination rollout across the EU.

The bloc has blamed pharmaceutical companies for supply shortages and delay in deliveries.

Critics have also raised concerns over the ethical implications of vaccine certificates, given how vaccination is voluntary.

But the EU has assured that the implementation of digital certificates would be non-discriminatory and would “meet data protection, security and privacy requirements.”