Could a vaccine passport help boost Alberta’s slow vaccination rates?

CALGARY — Demand for the COVID-19 vaccine in B.C. has nearly doubled since last week.

Monday, the province introduced a vaccine passport. Then on Tuesday, a mask mandate.

All leading to a surge in appointments for immunizations, with people under 40 booking at twice the rate of last week.

“It’s pretty clear that it convinces at least a broad group of people who have been essentially in the vaccine-hesitant space to move into the pro-vaccine space, essentially because now, we’re essentially raising the cost of not getting vaccinated,” said Jean-Christophe Boucher, an assistant professor in the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary.

And the benefits of the passport extend to those who are already double-dosed.

“The vaccine passport is a really good policy tool which not only helps move some people into the pro-vaccine space and get vaccinated but also protects the other parts of the population who have been vaccinated,” he said.

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In Alberta, the vaccine lottery has been on the top of any immunized person’s mind, with million-dollar prizes, and tickets to events around the province.

But Boucher says all the data on prizes and vaccinations is terrible.

“There’s actually no correlation, or a limited correlation, between people’s decision to be vaccinated and, you know, get a lottery.”

So while the lottery might not be motivating many Albertans to get the shot, the passport could be an option to boost Alberta’s sluggish vaccination rates.

But the province doesn’t have any plans to bring one into play, leaving Albertans to depend on MyHealth Records online and paper copies of their proof of immunization.

Health Minister Tyler Shandro addressing questions about the passport in a Twitter thread.

Shandro writing that some businesses and municipalities might ask for proof of vaccination.

Other jurisdictions (provinces/countries) may have different requirements which the Alberta govt does not control.

Albertans already receive proof of vaccination when they get their shot, be it from AHS, pharmacies, or a doctor. 3/8

— Tyler Shandro ???????? (@shandro) August 26, 2021

But he added this is not a government measure, and those decisions may be subject to legal challenges by individuals.

Alberta Health says they are working on streamlining the MyHealth records site after some individuals had issues accessing their immunization history, and will soon add the ability to print a more convenient sized paper card.