Why is India opposing vaccine passport?

 Union health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan while speaking at a G7 plus ministerial session condemned the idea of the vaccine passport reasoning that it is hugely discriminatory for India and other developing countries. 

He said, “At this stage of the pandemic, it is pertinent to also discuss India’s concern over the idea of a vaccine passport. Considering the fact of the lower levels of vaccination of the population in developing countries in contrast to the developed countries and given the still-unaddressed issues related to equitable and affordable access, supply and distribution of safe and effective vaccines, India would propose that the implementation of a vaccine passport will be hugely discriminatory and disadvantageous to the developing countries”.

The vaccine passport is a document that shows a traveller’s vaccination history which will facilitate its international travel without restrictions. Its introduction is being seriously considered by various countries including the UK, US etc. 

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Here is how it will be a problem for India

India began its vaccination program on 16 January 2021. Since then only 4% of the adult population has been covered. Moreover, India’s Covaxin is yet to be approved by the World Health Organization. 

As nations are discussing to move ahead with the vaccination proof as a requirement for international travel, WHO has also shown their disapproval of the same reasoning that there is an unequal distribution of vaccines.