Ethical Implementation of ‘Immunity Passports’ during the COVID-19 Pandemic
5 Pages Posted: 24 Apr 2020
Date Written: April 8, 2020
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in implementation of severe social and physical distancing measures in many countries.
The use of ‘immunity passports’ has been suggested as a way to ease restrictions on infected and recovered individuals, allowing some people to return to work and kickstart the economic recovery.
Ill-conceived immunity passport policies have the potential to cause severe unintended harms that could result in greater inequity, the stigmatisation of certain sectors of society, and heightened risks and unequal treatment of individuals due to erroneous test results.
Sector-based policies that prioritise access to testing based on societal need are likely to be fairer and logistically more feasible, while minimising stigma and reducing incentives for fraud.
Keywords: Ethics, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, serological assays, disease control policy, equity, stigma
JEL Classification: I
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation