Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine certification: evidence paper

Annex C - Societal views

Certification and vaccination

Considering the relationship between vaccine uptake and certification, some studies have shown that for some 'delayers', vaccine passports were perceived to be a reason why they would get vaccinated in the future. For others vaccine passports were controversial, and were seen as coercive measures of the global vaccination plan to control the population and violate privacy^{[275] [276]}.

For example, research suggests that control measures, such as domestic vaccine passports, may have detrimental effects on people's autonomy, motivation, and willingness to get vaccinated. The decrease is larger if passports were required for domestic use rather than for facilitating international travel^{[277] [278] [279] [280] [281]}. Further, the introduction of certification for leisure venues does not appear to increase willingness to be vaccinated amongst the most vaccine hesitant, with a decrease seen if certification is required for recreational settings^[282].

An important dimension of a certification scheme is how it affects vaccine take-up in hesitant groups and it is recognised there is balance to be struck between it being an incentive for busy people ('delayers') but also something which may cause anxiety in those who distrust the vaccination or the government^{[283] [284] [285] [286]}. Related to this researchers have also considered the 'unintended effects' of certification schemes^[287].

Further, several studies have concluded that successful vaccine rollout will only be achieved by ensuring community engagement: involving trusted community leaders, overcoming cultural, socioeconomic, and political barriers that lead to mistrust and hinder uptake of vaccines ^{[288] [289] [290]}.

Public attitudes – polling and academic literature

Research^[291] reports the results of two large surveys in the United Kingdom, that uncover people's attitudes towards various tracking technologies. The results show that in the main, there is widespread acceptance for co-location tracking and immunity passports although around 20% of the public strongly oppose passports. Further research has described public attitudes towards certification, and its possible impact on uptake of testing and vaccination and protective behaviours^[292].

YouGov polling 7-8 April 'Would you support or oppose the following places requiring people to provide a COVID certificate to visit them so they can remove social distancing restrictions?' Survey results

YouGov polling 28-29 July 'Some people have suggested introducing a system of "vaccine passports". This system would involve giving everyone a vaccine passport once they have received their COVID-19 vaccines, and allowing services and venues to reopen so long as they only serve those who have already been vaccinated (i.e. those who can show their vaccine passport). In principle, would you support or oppose introducing such a system' Survey results

• Over half of 25-49 year olds (53%), and seven in ten of those 50 and over (70%) would support their introduction^[293] while 38% of 18-24 years old are supportive. In that age group 14% is undecided and 48% 'somewhat' or 'strongly oppose' the idea.

YouGov polling 28-29 July 'Once everyone has been offered a COVID-19 vaccine, do you think each of the following places should or should not require people to provide a "vaccine passport" to visit them?' Survey results

• Two thirds of people (67%) think that care homes should require people to provide a 'vaccine passport' for visitors. Around half of people also think that pubs and bars (54%), gyms (53%) and cinemas (52%) should require people to show a vaccine passport before being allowed to enter.

Data tables and methodology for Scotland sample 24-25^th August 2021

Methodology: This survey has been conducted using an online interview administered to members of the YouGov Plc UK panel of 800,000+ individuals who have agreed to take part in surveys. Emails are sent to panellists selected at random from the base sample. The e-mail invites them to take part in a survey and provides a generic survey link. Once a panel member clicks on the link they are sent to the survey that they are most required for, according to the sample definition and quotas. (The sample definition could be "GB adult population" or a subset such as "GB adult females"). Invitations to surveys don't expire and respondents can be sent to any available survey. The responding sample is weighted to the profile of the sample definition to provide a representative reporting sample. The profile is normally derived from census data or, if not available from the census, from industry accepted data. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all Scottish adults (aged 18+).

Question text 'One possible approach to allow entry to venues such as stadiums, arenas and nightclubs is to introduce a Covid certification scheme. The exact details of this would need to be confirmed but an example may involve showing a certificate that proves you have been fully vaccinated or tested negative in the last 48 hours. To what extent do you agree or disagree with these statements about using covid certification to allow entry to certain venues?'
Base: All excluding those who would not normally attend this type of event

(n = c.800)

How likely or unlikely are you to be vaccinated for COVID-19 when a vaccine becomes available to you? (Please select a number between 0 and 10, where 0 means 'extremely unlikely' and 10 means 'extremely likely') If you have already received your first vaccination, please tell us how likely or unlikely you are to have your second.

Data tables and methodology for Scotland sample 21-22 Sep 2021

Methodology: This survey has been conducted using an online interview administered to members of the YouGov Plc UK panel of 800,000+ individuals who have agreed to take part in surveys. Emails are sent to panellists selected at random from the base sample. The e-mail invites them to take part in a survey and provides a generic survey link. Once a panel member clicks on the link they are sent to the survey that they are most required for, according to the sample definition and quotas. (The sample definition could be "GB adult population" or a subset such as "GB adult females"). Invitations to surveys don't expire and respondents can be sent to any available survey. The responding sample is weighted to the profile of the sample definition to provide a representative reporting sample. The profile is normally derived from census data or, if not available from the census, from industry accepted data. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all Scottish adults (aged 18+).

Question text 'From 1 October, the Scottish Government intends to introduce a vaccine certification scheme for entry to nightclubs and similar settings and large events (that is unseated indoor live events with more than 500 people in the audience, unseated outdoor live events with more than 4,000 people in the audience, and any event that has more than 10,000 people in attendance). People visiting these venues or attending events of this size will have to show proof that they are fully vaccinated or exempt from vaccination before entering. The easiest way of doing this will be to show a QR code on the new Covid Status app, but you can also download a certificate or obtain a letter by visiting nhsinform.scot'

The World Economic Forum (April 2021)

• The survey on the requirement of vaccine passports between March 26 – April 9 2021, showed that in Great Britain there was 72% support for their use at large public events (vs 63% average comparators) and 55% support for use in retail and offices (vs 50% average comparators). Respondents levels of comfort with allowing the government to access personal health and vaccination information was at 60% and at 37% for a private company. In the UK, 22% of respondents thought that certification should not be required for domestic travel, international travel or workplaces, compared to 20% in comparators.