Massachusetts and possibly 15-20 other states working to implement digital vaccine passports

(by Allison Kuznitz | Masslive.com) – Massachusetts could soon roll out a digital COVID-19 vaccination passport, Gov. Charlie Baker said Monday afternoon on GBH News’ Boston Public Radio.

Massachusetts is part of a coalition of states — somewhere between 15 and 20, Baker estimated — working to develop the technology. Baker displayed his personal QR code, attesting to his vaccination status, to hosts Jim Braude and Margery Eagan.

“This is my proof that I’ve been vaccinated. It’s easy to access, it’s a universal standard and we’ve been working with a bunch of other states,” Baker said, adding the passport could launch “soon.”

The single QR code, Baker said, “can be used for all sorts of things where people may chooser to require a vaccine.”

But Baker stopped short of explaining how the state government may utilize the passport to impose additional coronavirus-related restrictions. It’s unclear whether Massachusetts retailers, restaurants and other businesses would be expected to adopt the QR code.

Last April, Baker said the state had no plans to launch a mandated vaccine passport system, describing it as a hurdle to getting more residents inoculated.

“I want to vaccinate people,” Baker said at the time. “Let’s get people vaccinated.”

Yet by September, Baker warmed up to the idea, saying people needed an easier way to prove their protection against COVID-19.

“I certainly think it’s going to be an important thing to have here,” Baker told GBH. Read Full Article >