Mandatory Vaccine Passports 2021-09-23
2021-09-23
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP references the Department's Autumn and Winter Plan which discusses mandatory vaccine passports for public health benefits.
With reference to his Department's “COVID-19 Response: Autumn and Winter Plan 2021”, if his Department will publish scientific evidence in support of the efficacy of mandatory vaccine passports. The Government have had no fewer than 13 different positions on vaccine passports, saying yes three times, no four times, maybe or review six times.
We have published brief summaries of the evidence in the autumn and winter plan available on gov.uk. We are keeping vaccine certification in reserve for potential public health needs but hope it will not be necessary.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment to publish full scientific evidence requested by questioner
We Have Published Brief Summaries Of The Evidence
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP welcomes the Minister's answer on mandatory vaccine passports, referencing previous inconsistent positions taken by the Government.
I welcome the Minister's very full answer. Rather than just asserting that evidence is there, will the Minister commit himself to publishing it? If he is ever going to take his own Back Benchers with him, let alone the general public, the case will have to be made, and the Government have not made it yet.
We have published brief summaries of the evidence in the autumn and winter plan available on gov.uk. We are keeping vaccine certification in reserve for potential public health needs but hope it will not be necessary.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment to publish full scientific evidence requested by questioner
We Have Published Brief Summaries Of The Evidence
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP welcomes the new ministerial team and inquires about the necessity of mandatory vaccine certification.
May I reiterate to my right hon. Friend—whom I congratulate on his appointment—that vaccine certification is useless now and will no doubt be useless then? We have fresh pairs of eyes in the Department, and fresh perspectives. Can we please just bin it now?
In light of growing voluntary uptake and latest epidemic data, we do not expect mandatory certification to be needed from the end of September.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment to discard vaccine certification entirely requested by questioner
We Do Not Expect Mandatory Certification To Be Needed
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP evaluates the experience of other countries using vaccine certificates and inquires about Scotland and Wales' approaches.
In his evaluation, has the Minister looked at the experience of a number of European countries where this is happening? Has he looked at the views of Scotland and Wales, which are introducing certificates? Can he assure the House of his view that it must be better to have vaccine passes than once again locking down industries?
We look at how systems are operated elsewhere and work closely with devolved Administrations. Residents of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland can demonstrate vaccination status via a letter requested from the NHS.
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Assessment & feedback
Evaluation of experiences in Europe and assurances about vaccine certification's necessity
We Look At How Systems Are Operated Elsewhere
Work Closely With Devolved Administrations
Response accuracy