Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Opposition Rises Against Covid Vaccine Passports
Houston Chronicle: Gov. Greg Abbott Issues Executive Order Against Requiring Vaccine Passports In Texas
Gov. Greg Abbot issued an executive order early Tuesday banning state agencies from requiring “vaccine passports” to enter public spaces or receive public services. The passports, either digital or printed, would verify that a person has been fully immunized against COVID-19 and allow people to more freely travel and shop. (Harris, 4/6)
Salt Lake Tribune: Utah Law Blocks Government Agencies From Requiring Employees Or Clients To Be Vaccinated
If a private company in Utah wants to use a so-called vaccine passport to determine which customers have been inoculated against the coronavirus, there’s nothing stopping them. But a newly passed law blocks state government from requiring people to get the COVID-19 vaccine. On the final day of the 2021 Legislature, a bill blocking the state government from requiring Utahns to get the COVID vaccine won final passage. HB308 was signed 11 days later by Gov. Spencer Cox. (Schott, 4/6)
NH Times Union: Sununu Opposes Vaccine Passports
Requiring citizens to have a government-issued vaccine passport to travel and to attend public events would needlessly stir more controversy over the risk of contracting COVID-19, Gov. Chris Sununu said Tuesday. During a Washington Post live interview with columnist Karen Tumulty on Tuesday, Sununu said private businesses and colleges have every right to impose vaccine requirements on their workers or students, though some of those requirements would likely get tested in court. (Landrigan, 4/6)
Fox News: WHO Against Coronavirus Vaccine Passports For The Time Being, Spokesperson Says
The World Health Organization (WHO) does not back the use of coronavirus vaccine passports for travel, a spokesperson said. WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris said the world health agency does not back the use of these passports — proof that one has been vaccinated against COVID-19 — because it is not yet known if those who have been vaccinated against the virus can still transmit it. She cited equity concerns as another reason the WHO does not endorse the use of them at this time. (Farber, 4/6)
In related news about vaccination cards —
San Francisco Chronicle: Online Scammers Traffic In Fake COVID Vaccination Cards, Authorities Warn
Fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination cards are being sold online, and authorities have warned individuals not to buy or make one — which is illegal. “Be aware of individuals selling fake COVID-19 vaccination record cards and encouraging others to print fake cards at home,” the FBI said in a public service announcement last week. “Fake vaccination record cards have been advertised on social media websites, as well as e-commerce platforms and blogs.” (Flores, 4/5)
