Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential effect of vaccine passports on the spread of covid-19.

‘Vaccine passports’ have not been introduced. Domestic COVID-19 status certification can be acquired via a recent test, a full course of vaccination or a medical exemption or participation in a clinical trial for a COVID-19 vaccine.

Mandatory domestic vaccination or test certification is included in a range of measures aimed at reducing pressure on the National Health Service. Negative test results provide assurance that an individual is not infectious when the test is taken and for a short time afterwards. Evidence suggests that vaccination reduces the likelihood of infection or transmission by a small degree in the context of the Delta variant, which continues to circulate. Early evidence suggests that vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic infection after two doses is significantly lower against infection by the Omicron variant. However, moderate to high vaccine effectiveness is seen in the early period after a booster dose. Effectiveness is also likely to be higher for preventing severe disease and continues to be vital in response to high levels of cases of the Delta variant.

Domestic vaccine or test certification will reduce risks in certain settings in comparison with no intervention. However, it will not eliminate the possibility of infectious people attending or transmitting the virus in these settings so individuals should continue to exercise caution.