Governors from states that include Texas, Florida, and Arizona have all announced executive orders to curtail the use of vaccine passports or COVID-19 documentation.
What We Know:
- The states argue that vaccination certifications violate privacy and civil rights. Private companies are currently producing digital passport apps that show proof of immunization. Director of the O’Neill Institute, Lawrence Gostin, explained to NBC News that the new executive orders are unlikely to have much impact.
- CDC reports that half of all adults in the U.S have had at least one vaccine shot as of Sunday. Additionally, about 32.5% of the population has been fully vaccinated. Chief Medical Advisor to the Biden Administration, Dr. Fauci, expressed that the federal government won’t mandate vaccine passports for businesses or travelers. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki followed up Fauci’s statement by telling reporters that passports will be “driven by the private sector.”
- The passports could have scannable QR codes that people could pull up on their phones. Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed an executive order Monday banning vaccine passports and preventing state and local governments from asking people to provide their vaccination statuses to receive services or access to facilities. Ducey also recently rescinded a previous executive order which required schools K-12 to mandate facemasks for students. He claims the decision was made in alignment with guidance from the CDC, although the CDC still believes the “universal and correct use of masks” is essential for safe in-person schooling.
- The executive order being signed into action by these states does not apply to private businesses. Health care institutions, child care centers, schools, and universities are authorized to collect vaccination records under state law. The order also permits state and local health departments to require people to provide evidence of vaccination. Governors from Montana, Idaho, Texas, and Florida have already signed executive orders with similar stipulations.
The Biden Administration has also revealed that they will provide recommendations for digital vaccination certificates.
