Vaccine passports gain traction in Democratic places and bans in red states

Vaccine passports, or documents that show a person’s COVID-19 vaccination status, have been touted in Democratic-run states as tools for reviving commerce and tourism, while they’ve been outright banned in several red states. The Biden administration, meanwhile, has ruled out a federal vaccine passport mandate, citing privacy concerns.

“There will be no centralized, universal federal vaccinations database and no federal mandate requiring everyone to obtain a single vaccination credential,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said last month.

Other countries are forging ahead with their own vaccine passport programs. The European Union, for instance, presented plans in March to implement a digital vaccination passport by June to salvage the summer tourism season. Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, told the New York Times earlier this week that she expects member states will accept vaccinated American travelers as well if they can provide proof of vaccination.

Without a federally mandated vaccine passport program in the United States, state governments will have the option to institute their own. Several Democratic governors have already indicated their support for vaccine passports that are voluntary and secure, while several Republican governors have banned them outright.

The following states have approved the use of vaccine passports:

New York was the first state in the U.S. to launch a voluntary vaccine passport system in March, called the Excelsior Pass. New Yorkers can create their passports using a smartphone app on a platform developed with IBM that stores their records of negative coronavirus test results and vaccination status.

The state government presented the program as a means to speed up the economic rebound after nearly a year of commercial restrictions. Entertainment venues, sports arenas, wedding receptions, and more will be able to scan a QR code on the smartphone app or a printed-out version, “similar to a mobile airline boarding pass,” when admitting visitors.

Hawaii will launch its secure vaccine passport program for inter-island travel on May 11. Gov. David Ige, a Democrat, announced last week that Hawaii residents who want to travel between islands will have the option to upload their vaccination records to the Safe Travels Hawaii website, eliminating the need to present negative COVID-19 tests before traveling and quarantine upon arrival at their destination.

The Hawaiian government expects to launch a vaccine passport program for out-of-state travelers this summer, “but it depends on how quickly they can connect the networks to get access to vaccination information for all the states,” Ige said.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said last month that he was open to the idea of vaccine passports but maintained that they should be voluntary. He has not announced further action. In Chicago, meanwhile, public health commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady announced Tuesday that the city will introduce the “Vax Pass,” an incentive for people to get vaccinated to attend concerts and other entertainment events.

“Younger people, in particular, may be excited about the idea of getting into events, for example, that might be limited to people who are vaccinated,” Arwady said. “We’re working with some club organizers and others, and there will be more information coming.”

The following states, all GOP-led, have outlawed vaccine passports:

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey banned the state and local governments from requiring proof of vaccination to gain entry to stores, entertainment venues, and other public settings on April 19 through an executive order.

“The residents of our state should not be required by the government to share their private medical information. While we strongly recommend all Arizonans get the COVID-19 vaccine, it’s not mandated in our state — and it never will be,” Ducey said.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an order in early April banning government entities from issuing vaccine passports “or other standardized documentation for the purpose of certifying an individual’s COVID-19 vaccination status to a third party” to Floridians. The executive action also prohibits private businesses from requiring people to disclose their vaccination status. Businesses can, however, continue exercising discretion in whether to require masks and other social distancing requirements.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced earlier this month that the state will not mandate vaccine passports, though he has not issued any executive action to ban them altogether.

“While the development of multiple safe, highly effective COVID-19 vaccines has been a scientific miracle, the decision to receive the vaccine should be left up to each individual,” Kemp said.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed an executive order on April 7 banning state government agencies from issuing vaccine passports or requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination for people to receive public services or access facilities.

“Vaccine passports create different classes of citizens,” Little said. “Vaccine passports restrict the free flow of commerce during a time when life and the economy are returning to normal. Vaccine passports threaten individual freedom and patient privacy.”

Iowa state legislators are considering a bill that would ban the state and local governments from issuing vaccine passports or requiring individuals to present their vaccination status. Gov. Kim Reynolds has said that she would issue an executive order banning the passports if the Legislature doesn’t ban them first.

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte issued an executive order on April 13 outlawing state-mandated vaccine passports. The order also banned businesses from demanding proof of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19.

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts announced on March 31 that the state would not institute a vaccine passport program, calling it a concept that “violates two central tenets of the American system: freedom of movement and healthcare privacy.”

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said on April 6 that he supports state legislation to ban government-issued vaccine passports. The bill passed in the state Senate by a vote of 27-3 on April 15 and will be voted on in the state House on Monday, where it is expected to pass.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott instituted a ban on government-issued vaccine passports on April 5. The order also stipulates that all private and public organizations that receive state funding are prohibited from requiring people to show proof of vaccination to gain entry.

“As I have said all along, these vaccines are always voluntary and never forced,” Abbott said. “Government should not require any Texan to show proof of vaccination and reveal private health information just to go about their daily lives.”