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The implementation of the "vaccine passport" must be cautious and fair

2021-11-13T22:14:26.876Z


Yuan Guoyong, a government expert consultant and chair professor of the Department of Microbiology of the University of Hong Kong, recently proposed to implement a "vaccine passport" locally, that is, requiring citizens to produce vaccination records before entering and leaving public places. He thinks that two doses of vaccine


Yuan Guoyong, a government expert consultant and chair professor of the Department of Microbiology of the University of Hong Kong, recently proposed to implement a "vaccine passport" locally, that is, requiring citizens to produce vaccination records before entering and leaving public places.

He believes that the vaccination rate of the two doses must be over 99% to avoid detonation after "clearance" with the mainland or overseas, and he denounced that "people who do not cooperate will never cooperate". Therefore, he hopes that the government can take further action to encourage universal vaccination.


As of this Thursday (November 11), the population of Hong Kong who have received the first and second doses of the new crown vaccine are 4,658,800 and 4,463,100 respectively, accounting for approximately 69.2% and 66.3% of the total population of Hong Kong, and among them Only the 20-59-year-old group has a vaccination rate higher than 70%.

In addition, people with a higher risk of infection, such as those with weakened immune systems and the elderly, medical staff, chronically ill patients, border workers, etc., will also receive a free third dose of vaccination from that day. 16,800 people were vaccinated on the first day.

Must do a good job in identification and vaccine supply

Yuan Guoyong has repeatedly proposed that Hong Kong should imitate Israel’s "vaccine passport" policy, but the main point of his speech was to emphasize that local people must provide a negative nucleic acid test before they can enter public places or restaurants. Similar measures are in France, Italy, Germany, etc. It is also implemented in Europe and America.

In view of the emergence of some forged documents or applications in these places, if Hong Kong really intends to implement a "vaccine passport" in the future, it must first seriously deal with the problem of forgery to avoid recurring cases similar to the "go home with peace of mind" program.

More importantly, Israel actually updated its "vaccine passport" policy last month, stipulating that only those who have received two doses of the vaccine or have received the third dose within six months are eligible. As a result, many people who have not received the third dose in time are eligible. The person with the vaccine is quite troubled.

Considering that the number of antibodies will dissipate over time, this standard method of updating the "vaccine passport" is scientifically reasonable, but if Yuan Guoyong's proposal includes the introduction of this measure, the Hong Kong government must ensure that there is no problem with the long-term supply of vaccines.

Ethical requirements to ensure equal implementation

A working group of the World Health Organization discussed the ethical considerations of the "vaccine passport" in February this year, and pointed out that "measures should be taken to reduce the potential harm caused to uncertified personnel, prevent excessive pressure on them and violation of personal freedom. And rights regulations.”

In August, the WHO released the "COVID-19 Certificate Digital File: Vaccination Status", reiterating that the electronic version of the "vaccine passport" must avoid creating inequality for people who cannot obtain specific software or technology.

Reluctantly judging from the SAR government’s track record in promoting the "Travel with peace of mind" application and arranging quarantine exemption groups, officials often fail to take a fair view in designing relevant policies, and they have not noticed the special needs of some disadvantaged groups. , But also intentionally or unintentionally creating loopholes and condoning "privileges."

One of the main reasons why people in the market lack confidence in the implementation of the "vaccine passport" may be precisely this.

Grasping the closure will establish the government's acceptance of the third dose of the new crown vaccine can take the opportunity to test the government's message that Macau's epidemic prevention is worthy of Hong Kong's reference

Source: hk1

All news articles on 2021-11-13

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