The federal government will not require the use of vaccine passports for travel or post-pandemic businesses, President Biden’s chief adviser, Dr. Anthony Fauci, said Monday for the Politico Dispatch podcast
Why does it matter: Passports proving vaccination proof could speed up the reopening of international travel, but the idea of applying for immunization credentials has become a point of contention, especially among Republican officials.
- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) banned the use of vaccine passports in his state on Friday.
What are they saying“I doubt the federal government will be the main driver of a vaccine passport concept,” Fauci said.
- “They may be involved in making sure things are done fairly and equitably, but I doubt the federal government will be the main element of that.”
Fauci noted that he believes businesses or schools may need vaccine passports to enter their buildings.
- “I’m not saying that it should or should be done, but I’m saying that you could predict how an independent entity could say, ‘Well, we can’t deal with you if we don’t know you’re vaccinated,'” will be mandated by the federal government. “
The whole picture: The EU unveiled its proposal for vaccination passports in March, which would allow citizens who can certify that they have been vaccinated or have recently been tested negative for COVID-19 to cross borders without quarantine requirements.