I think that worrying about variants is a bit of a red herring when it comes to Vaccine Passports - The virus will continue to evolve until the end of time just like every other virus has done since the dawn of history. Over time some of those may overcome our current protections to some extent but even with Delta we have good protection and to be honest it is less of a vaccinated v unvaccinated thing more.
To me to justify Vaccine Passports you have to show some evidence that the presence of an unvaccinated individual poses a unique risk to someone who is vaccinated as otherwise it is just someone putting themselves at greater risk which may be reckless but a personal choice (kind of like bike helmets - riding a bike without a helmet is clearly more risky than riding with one but the consequences of that decision lay mainly with the cyclist)
The best argument I have heard is that the easier you make spread in the unvaccinated then the greater the potential impact on hospitals which could impact healthcare for others.
Of course most people should get vaccinated - but they should do so on their own terms and when they are ready - Not because "Government Says So" as that leads to people making decisions based on the wrong incentives. Not least given the large gap between doses in the UK if you haven't yet had a dose you are "unclean" until getting on for Christmas.
I look forward to reading the IA ,EQIA and Public Health Modelling that will undoubtedly be published to accompany the policy (Anyone else feel like putting in some FOI's?)
To me to justify Vaccine Passports you have to show some evidence that the presence of an unvaccinated individual poses a unique risk to someone who is vaccinated as otherwise it is just someone putting themselves at greater risk which may be reckless but a personal choice (kind of like bike helmets - riding a bike without a helmet is clearly more risky than riding with one but the consequences of that decision lay mainly with the cyclist)
The best argument I have heard is that the easier you make spread in the unvaccinated then the greater the potential impact on hospitals which could impact healthcare for others.
Of course most people should get vaccinated - but they should do so on their own terms and when they are ready - Not because "Government Says So" as that leads to people making decisions based on the wrong incentives. Not least given the large gap between doses in the UK if you haven't yet had a dose you are "unclean" until getting on for Christmas.
I look forward to reading the IA ,EQIA and Public Health Modelling that will undoubtedly be published to accompany the policy (Anyone else feel like putting in some FOI's?)