Thank you for contacting me about the vaccine roll out.
I too have read reports about the development of so-called 'Immunity Passports' which could be used to enable people to safely access certain venues. The Government has stated that the priority at the moment is establishing a safe and effective way to roll out the vaccine to those who need it. While I understand that a range of options are being considered to encourage people to receive the vaccine, the Government does not plan to make the COVID-19 vaccination mandatory.
Once you are in receipt of a vaccine, you will be issued with a card by the NHS, stating the name of the vaccine, as well as the batch number and the date of each dose, which you must keep with you. However, this should not be considered an immunity passport, and the Government has no plans for the card to be used in this way.
I urge my colleagues across the Government to continue to act in response to the latest research. The roll-out of the vaccine is most welcome, but the Government believes that we are not yet at the end of the road and that people must continue to comply with the restrictions in place in their area, including when they have received their vaccination.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Craig Whittaker MP
January 2021