Vaccine Documentation Will Be Important But A Hodgepodge

Few could have imagined a year ago that by now our world would be so profoundly changed by a pandemic that has killed more than 300,000 Americans; been confirmed in over 16 million; gone undiagnosed in scores of millions more; and caused debilitating, persisting symptoms in many who have “recovered.” Certainly, no credible drug manufacturer would have claimed that a new vaccine for this emerging infectious disease could go through all phases of drug development and reach marketing approval within the space of 11 months. Even with the first COVID-19 vaccine having been approved for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration and being administered, challenges remain to keep track of those who have been vaccinated, and for vaccinees to verify their immunization.

With the growth of individuals’ immunity to COVID-19 through vaccination, persons who have gotten the shots could receive opportunities unavailable to those who have not. A recent Sky News poll in the United Kingdom found that 54% of the population believe that it would be acceptable to limit air travel only to people who have been vaccinated; that 36% believe that public transport should be similarly limited; access to restaurants, 39%, and to cinemas, 44% . . .