Ukrainians that are fully vaccinated with preparations approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) will get international COVID-19 vaccine passports.
This was announced by Deputy Health Minister and Chief Medical Officer Viktor Liashko, the RBC Ukraine news agency said.
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International COVID-19 certificates will be issued in accordance with national legislation or international agreements, he said. In accordance with international rules, such a document allows citizens to cross the border if a country requires vaccination, he added.
"The rules for issuing this certificate are defined in international health regulations and it can be issued if a person has been fully vaccinated with a vaccine cleared by WHO for use," Liashko said.
Over the global shortage of vaccines and limited access to them, countries are discussing digital certificates that will contain vaccination-related data along with information about a positive antibody test or negative COVID testing.
"It [digital certificate] will allow [citizens] to travel, that is, freely cross the borders of countries. And citizens may also be allowed to attend mass events that are not available during the period of strict quarantine rules for the unvaccinated or those who don't have antibodies," he said.
During May, the Health Ministry will decide what advantages the owners of "vaccine passports" will enjoy in Ukraine, he added.
Vaccine passports: Known facts
- On March 17, 2021, the European Commission presented a pilot Digital Green Certificate that will facilitate the safe free movement of European Union citizens across the EU.
- Such digital "vaccine passports" are planned to be introduced by the European Union by June 2021.
- Meanwhile, the World Health Organization is against the use of COVID-19 "vaccine passports" as a condition for travel.
- On April 29, 2021, the European Parliament adopted its negotiating position on COVID-19 vaccine certificates, which will show a holder's COVID-19 status, confirming they had been fully vaccinated or had an up-to-date negative test result or had recovered from COVID-19.
