Digital (and hard copy) records of COVID-19 vaccinations will be available from the Australian government and will be critical to international travel opening back up.
The Federal Government has announced a proof of vaccination certificate will be accessible through the MyGov app.
It comes after airlines like Qantas have signaled such a certificate will be mandatory for all passengers travelling on international flights.
Today Government Services Minister Stuart Robert confirmed it was “highly likely” the certificate would be needed for international travel.
“For borders to open up will require vaccination and it will require the widespread use of a certificate,” he said.
However, he would not say whether the availability of the certificates from today would speed up the re-opening of international borders.
And other circumstances where certificates could be made mandatory, like entering a hospital, would be up to States to enforce.
But Attorney General Christian Porter will meet with unions to discuss making the certificate a necessity for work in some industries.
The Pfizer vaccine is expected to begin being rolled out to priority groups like front line workers and the elderly at the end of the month.
It follows the Government securing 10 million additional Pfizer doses, bringing the total volume from the American pharmaceutical giant to 20 million.
AstraZeneca is expected to get global approval sometime this month, and by March at the latest in Australia.
Scott Morrison has signaled he wants 4 million Australians vaccinated with either the Pfizer or AstraZeneca jab by April.
The vaccine program is expected to be completed by October.
More Perth news and COVID-19 news on SoPerth.com.au.
