As businesses start opening more and restrictions start lessening for vaccinated individuals, more safety guidelines to ensure those who claim to be vaccinated are actually vaccinated must also come into effect. That’s where COVID-19 vaccination passports come in.
COVID-19 vaccination passports are documents that show that a person has been vaccinated. They can be a physical piece of paper or something digital, and in some places in the U.S., like New York and California, there are even scannable QR codes one can pull up on their phone to prove their vaccination status.
It is important to note that vaccination passports are not something new that was made specifically for the coronavirus. But, in fact, certain countries have required vaccination passports for traveling during past outbreaks.
With the rise of businesses and restaurants requiring patrons to be fully vaccinated, something like a vaccination passport may become more common. And with vaccine mandates becoming more common, having to prove one’s vaccination status may also become more and more common.
Whether those in the Winthrop University community will have to begin worrying about getting a COVID-19 vaccination passport is unlikely right now due to Gov. Henry McMaster’s strong opposition for any sort of mandate, as we saw McMaster ban mask mandates earlier in the summer.
If one is planning on traveling outside the country or to certain U.S. cities, it is recommended to look up local guidelines for COVID-19 and vaccinations.
With proof of vaccination becoming required more around the country, however, it is possible that private businesses may eventually be able to require proof of vaccination for employees as well as consumers despite a ban on mandating vaccines.
Sophomore psychology major Giselle Mesa believes COVID-19 vaccination passports are an essential part of proving one is vaccinated.
“I think vaccination passports for COVID-19 are important because now people have physical proof that helps them prove they have been vaccinated in a way that is more difficult to copy than the normal vaccination cards, and with COVID numbers rising, it is more important than ever for people to actually get vaccinated,” Mesa said.
However, there is an argument from some Winthrop students that vaccination passports are not necessary when it comes to keeping the coronavirus under control.
“I do not think it is necessary for places to require a COVID-19 vaccination passport, at least in America, because with the vaccine, you can still spread the coronavirus. I personally think just requiring a negative COVID result is fine,” said Ashley Bryan, junior chemistry major.
Whether requiring vaccination passports for COVID-19 is necessary or not, it is clear many believe something needs to be done to lower the number of COVID-19 cases, especially with the rise of cases due to the COVID-19 variants.
While it is still a bit unclear whether the university could require vaccinations for COVID-19 or vaccinations passports, Winthrop University is encouraging all students to get vaccinated and is having a free mobile vaccination clinic on Sept. 9 in several different areas around campus throughout the day. They will be giving out the Moderna vaccine, with the second round of vaccines being available on Oct. 6 on campus as well.
