Prepare the mechanism to apply 'vaccine passport'

The Ministry of Health is preparing plans for mechanisms, locations, quarantine times, medical testing and monitoring for those who have been vaccinated with Covid19 vaccine upon their entry into Vietnam.

The National Committee for the Prevention and Control of Covid-19 raised the above request at its meeting on the afternoon of March 26; At the same time, it urges relevant ministries to continue technical solutions to be ready to create conditions for those who have been vaccinated and wishing to enter Vietnam.

The cases considered "vaccine passport" are professionals, business people, and overseas Vietnamese wishing to return home, who have been vaccinated twice.

The Ministry of Health is also assigned to prepare in the long term to apply vaccine passports to foreigners who want to enter Vietnam for the purpose of exchange and travel; report on the above contents at the upcoming meeting of the Committee.

"We step by step prepare detailed plans in the spirit of facilitating but above all safety. If we create favorable conditions for outbreaks, all efforts and efforts will become meaningless", Deputy Head General Vu Duc Dam spoke at the meeting.

Aircraft disinfection medical staff at Noi Bai airport, Hanoi. Photo: Giang Huy

Mr. Vu Duc Dam also noted that every locality in the country must have solutions to minimize the gathering of people.

Previously, at the Standing meeting of the Government on March 17, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc asked relevant ministries and agencies to well prepare plans to apply vaccine passport and controlled trade. Authorities consider appropriate disease prevention and control measures when Vietnam applies a vaccine passport, and at the same time consider and research step by step reopening international routes.

The vaccine passport is the technical document of an individual who has been vaccinated against the virus, in this case Covid-19 (also known as a digital health card). This document is stored on the phone, displayed as a QR code.

Several countries have issued Covid-19 vaccine passports, such as China. Thailand has also announced plans to issue vaccine passports and reduce the quarantine period for vaccinated people. However, the World Health Organization calls for caution with medical passports, requiring travel authorities and operators not to consider proof of vaccination as a condition of international travel.