AQW 19175/17-22

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 20/05/2021
Answered On Date: 24/05/2021
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health given that Scotland, Wales and England now have systems either in place or in development, to detail the solutions his Department is considering in regards to proving COVID-19 vaccination status for those seeking to travel.

Answer:

The NI Vaccination Programme is being concentrated on the vaccination of the population to protect everyone, particularly older and vulnerable citizens in our community. It will also help us move gradually towards the easing of restrictions in society, and particularly for travel, when it is safe to do so.

The Department of Health is working on a solution to enable proof of vaccination to the agreed standard. It is anticipated that a paper based option will be available in the first instance, from a specialist printing service. This requires infrastructure to be developed, allowing citizens to request certification which is securely linking to their personal data. Further details will follow shortly. In the meantime it should be noted that neither GP practices or other HSC organisations are able to issue letters for travel purposes.