Establish if vaccination passports work before tackling ethical issues

A sign directing passengers to a Covid-19 testing centre in London Heathrow Airport. Before engaging in any philosophical and ethical agonising, one needs to ask if a system of vaccine "passports" will even work, says the author. PHOTO: AFP

(FINANCIAL TIMES) Of the many questions about a system of vaccine certification - or "passports" - as a path to easing pandemic restrictions, the most important is that of efficacy: Would it work?

If such a policy will not work in practice, then any philosophical and ethical agonising becomes irrelevant, as do concerns about legal risks and dilemmas.

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