B.C. vaccine passport: Advocacy groups raise accessibility concerns

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — A coalition of community groups and advocates are raising concerns that B.C.’s recently-announced “vaccine passport” will further marginalize people who are homeless, undocumented, who don’t have ID, or who can’t get the shot for medical reasons.

B.C.’s proof of vaccination system is set to be introduced on Sept. 13. It will limit which non-essential services, businesses, and events unvaccinated people will be able to go to. While specifics about how exactly people will prove they have been immunized have not been revealed, health officials have said the vaccine card will be digital, with another option for people who can’t access their records on a smartphone.

“This measure fails to account for the diverse needs of people who utilize a variety of public, private, and communal spaces who will face legitimate barriers to accessing a vaccine card,” says an open letter signed by organizations like Pivot Legal Society, the BC Civil Liberties Association, VANDU, Disability Alliance BC, and Fuerza Migrante.

“The signatories to this letter demand that the province consider the full ramifications of a vaccine card, or any other proof of vaccination policy immediately. The implications of these orders extend far beyond public health, particularly for people already experiencing barriers to housing, services, and businesses: sweeping policies that restrict access, however well-intentioned, can have the effect of forcing people into isolation, cutting off their lines of resources, and making their lives even more dangerous during a pandemic.”

BC's proof of vaccination plan as it currently stands, fails to account for people who will face legitimate barriers to accessing a vaccine card. #bcPoli #Covid19bchttps://t.co/XTyKX9OsOU pic.twitter.com/1pTi06MQb9

— Pivot Legal Society (@pivotlegal) September 1, 2021

Ingrid Mendez, the Executive Director of Watari Counselling and Support Services, says many of her clients are migrant workers, refugees, and women fleeing violence. She’s already been fielding frantic calls from people worried about how the proof of vaccination policy will impact them.

“We need to find ways to make this accessible for people, and lessen the stress that this is creating. You have no idea how many phone calls we have had this since the announcement from people saying, ‘What am I going to do? How do I access this? Can you help us?'” she explains.

“We really need to work together to find ways to support people who are stuck.”

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Although people who are undocumented or have precarious immigration status can access the shot without MSP coverage, she notes a personal health number will be required for the vaccine passport.

“We’re very concerned because we were really putting the word out there for people to come to our vaccination clinics because we wanted to support the health system in trying to get as many people vaccinated as possible,” she says.

“Now there is another hurdle to deal with. How will these people access that vaccine passport or vaccination proof? They won’t be able to.”

The coalition recommends making the vaccine card accessible for those without MSP, allowing medical exemptions, ongoing consultation with community groups, and making sure enforcementt does not disproportionately target people or communities who are already vulnerable to over-policing.