Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine certification: evidence paper

6. Public attitudes and societal impacts of vaccination.

A key objective of the vaccine certification scheme is to encourage vaccine take-up. For some vaccine hesitant people vaccine passports are perceived to be a reason why they would get vaccinated in the future. However, for others, vaccine passports were seen as coercive measures to control the population and violate privacy^{[216] [217]}. There are variations in views depending on socio-demographic status^[218]. (See Annex C for further details). Research on the impact of COVID-19 vaccine certificates on issues of identity and control and its interaction with wider public health issues is evolving^[219] and more evidence will become available.

A study examining the views of a large number of scientists across the world earlier on in the pandemic also found that a small majority favoured immunity certification but a large minority also expressed concerns about fairness and inequality^[220]. From a survey of over 12,000 scientists the authors found that scientists perceive immunity certificates as favourable for public health (50.2%) and the state of the economy (54.4%) while one-fifth (19.1%) and one-sixth (15.4%) disagree. Scientists stipulate some concerns about fairness (36.5%) and inequality (22.4%) arising from implementation of immunity certification.

Research recommends that implementation will require clear, specific and delimited purpose, ethical justifications, and practical solutions that do not discriminate against the poor, the less technically literate, and people from low and middle income countries^{[221] [222] [223] [224] [225] [226] [227][228]}.

Research into public attitudes carried out by YouGov for the Scottish Government, on 24-25 August 2021, (n=1006 people in Scotland) highlighted attitudes towards the benefits and concerns of a certification scheme. Over half of respondents (55%) would download and use a mobile app to prove either vaccination or a negative test result, with just over one in five (23%) saying they would not use such an app. Around three quarters, (74%) would be happy to share their vaccination status or test results via a certification scheme to allow entry to a venue and 62% say that this would make them feel more comfortable if they were to go to a venue or an event (up from 58% in early June) There are worries about the vaccine passport scheme, with 62% questioning whether everyone will have immunity and 67% worrying that systems may not be fool-proof (down from 77% in early June).

Research into public attitudes on the vaccine certification scheme, carried out by YouGov for the Scottish Government on 21-22 September 2021 (n=1005 people in Scotland) stated that 56% support its introduction and 26% oppose it. When asked about the effect of the vaccine certification scheme on likelihood of visiting a venue or event that require it, 30% would be 'much/slightly more' likely to visit and 45% agree they would like to see it rolled out to other types of venues and events. 52% agree that the scheme is a good way to help control the spread of the virus and 51% disagree that they don't think this type of scheme is fair on those who aren't vaccinated (See Annex C for further details on methodology and sample).

In terms of general support across time in the UK, latest polling conducted 28-29 July (YouGov Aug 9^th) states that public opinion regarding vaccine passports has stayed much the same since March^[229], with six in ten Britons (60%) supporting the introduction of vaccine passports during the vaccine rollout, including 30% who 'strongly' support their implementation^[230]. However, support for their introduction decreases down the age groups.

The UK generally shows a positive disposition towards vaccination certification compared to other countries, according to an Ipsos survey carried out for The World Economic Forum (April 2021) which suggested that Great Britain has comparatively high support for certification compared to comparator countries^{[231] [232]}.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that human rights, children's rights and equality are embedded in everything we do and are central to our response to the pandemic. The Framework for Decision Making recognises that harms caused by the pandemic do not impact everyone equally and that we must work to advance equality and protect human rights. An Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) to analyse the potential impacts, of the use of COVID-19 Status Certification domestically for each protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010 has been produced. Where there are potential negative impacts, mitigating actions have been identified. The document also assesses the impact of the policy on the Scottish Government's obligations under the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) to advance equality of opportunity, eliminate unlawful discrimination and to foster good community relations.

The Scottish Government has also developed a Children's Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) to analyse the potential impact, both positive and negative, of the domestic use of COVID-19 Status Certification on the promotion of children's rights and wellbeing. As with the EQIA, where potential negative impacts have be found, mitigating actions have been identified.

Both of these documents will be published shortly and should be read in conjunction with this evidence paper.