Ethicist suggesting Ontario government take science-based approach to COVID-19 vaccine passports

An ethicist at the University of Toronto says there are definitely ethical concerns surrounding COVID-19 vaccine passports, but he believes, if the benefits outweigh the risks, there is a way for a system to be properly implemented.

Kerry Bowman tells CityNews Ottawa, the passports would have to be carefully managed and rooted in science.

“If it's a hodgepodge and it has no scientific coherence, it's simply going to push a lot of people with negative feelings further and they're going to be more resistant, potentially, to vaccination and government mandates all together,” he explains.

Bowman thinks it would also help if more information was made public about how many unvaccinated residents are being infected with COVID-19 versus those who have had their shots.

“When we really divide up vaccinated and unvaccinated people, is that going to have a very significant difference, epidemiologically? We need some information on that. We're being told 'yes,' I just hope the information is solid.” 

When it comes to who might be required to show proof of vaccination in the future, the ethicist adds that those decisions should also be based in science.

“We could be in a position in a province like Ontario where federal employees have to be vaccinated and we've got kindergarten teachers that aren't vaccinated. So, it needs to have scientific coherence.”