Public health doctor says that Ontario vaccine passport coming soon

On a CBC Radio-Canada program, Dr. Roumeliotis said that he expects that the passport will be a mobile app on people's cellphones. He feels that government officials have no choice as he and other officials from public health believe that the passport is an important means to increase the vaccination rates.

Dr. Roumeliotis said that an announcement about an Ontario vaccine passport should be expected in one to two weeks. This is in contrast to Premier Doug Ford's continued opposition to a provincial vaccine passport. He said in a press conference on July 15 that "I've never believed in proof. The answer is no. We aren't going to do it. We aren't going to have a split society."

Ford said that he is not in favour of private businesses and workplaces requiring proof of vaccination, but he said it was up to them and not the province. This has resulted in many Ontario universities, colleges, workplaces, concert venues, and sports centres mandating the vaccine. Ontario's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kieran Moore, has also said that there is no medical need for a provincial vaccine passport.

There is still no clarity on how proof of vaccination will be required. The federal Privacy Comissioner has said that "compulsory disclosure of personal medical information to access public services is a breach of the Privacy Act."