‘Absolutely useless’: B.C.’s paper vaccine passport should be a card, resident argues

A Langley man who doesn’t have a smartphone says seniors aren’t the only people frustrated with how B.C.’s vaccine passport program has rolled out.

Ken Enns, a 54-year-old with disabilities, says the printed paper certificate he received by mail was initially declined last week at a movie theatre in Surrey.

“I showed them my paper passport and the QR code wouldn’t scan,” he explained. “They tried four different [devices], still wouldn’t scan. They basically said, ‘Well, we can’t let you in.'”

Enns says the reason for the hassle was that paper had been folded too much.

Eventually, he was able to get in, but it has him worried that this is a widespread problem for people who rely on a hard copy of the passport.

“If I’m just one, how many others in B.C. are having problems too … or are being turned away?”

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The proof of vaccination is printed in portrait orientation on a 8.5 by 11 inches paper. While the length can be trimmed, the width needs to stay intact in order to include a name, written vaccination status, and QR code. Enns was sent two copies of the paper certificate, with the intent of one being a backup in the event something happens to the other. He expects that happens quite a lot.

“If it got wet, if it gets smudged, if it gets crumpled or folded too much, it’s just useless. Absolutely useless,” he said, adding he wishes the government had created actual cards as an alternative to the digital version.

Enns adds he’s not surprised researchers at Simon Fraser University found many seniors had difficulty downloading their QR codes online or requesting them by phone.

Related video: Trudeau unveils details on international vaccine passport (Oct. 21)

Ministry of Health staff say this program will be reviewed in January to determine whether wallet-sized cards, much like driver’s licences, should be issued.

Enns hopes this will become an option to help him and others ensure they can access non-essential services and businesses they have rights to, as fully vaccinated British Columbians.

“There’s other people with disabilities in B.C. that are definitely having problems, and elderly [people] too.”