The COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Australia has begun

[HappyFlyerFamily]

You make it sound so easy. It is the high tech solution that is the problem. It's not difficult to come up with a vaccination card to be used worldwide like we have all used for yellow fever forever and a day. But when it comes to the high tech "solution", every country has a different protocol, a different app, or no app, or no centralised health system, even approval for different vaccines. Finding a one size fits all solution like a piece of card is going to be impossible which means pretty much every country negotiating with every other country, unless the WHO get involved. And whether they do or not, that is going to take forever.

And then you have politics (and competence). At the moment, you can enter the UK without quarantine from an amber country if you have Tony Hancock's US pharmac_ stamped card (probably with or without having had the vaccinations). Yet as a UK citizen, I would have to quarantine for 10 days despite my two AZ vaccinations - and solid proof. The UK aren't nearly as interested in their overseas citizens as they are in kowtowing to the Americans. Sort of understandable as the number of entrants from Oz will be small for obvious reasons, but the same applies to all the UK expats in the Middle East, Singapore, Hong Kong, etc.

Also the risk of yellow fever, given so few travel to/from the affected countries, is tiny compared to the risk of covid, especially if new variants come to light. So we do need something more robust than a piece of paper even if it will be painful getting there.

Also a fraudulent covid vax certificate is of more value than a fraudulent yellow fever vax certificate. In Australia, for the majority it will allow you to get out of your pyjamas and past the front door.

 

[Lynda2475]

In Australia, for the majority it will allow you to get out of your pyjamas and past the front door.

Domestically the solution will be electronic, just as the QR apps are. NSW is one state who has already announced this. And before you ask what about old people who dont have a smart phone, NSW for example already have the ability for you to get a government issued card which venues can scan to check you in to remove the nasty pen and paper model, so this can also be expanded. If you have to have your own QR code scanned to enter a venue, that makes forgeries tougher (and you put high penalties on forgeries).

Internationally, one option is to store vax status on the chip in your passport, when entering any country they electronically read your passport to both verify your identity and your vax status. Or apply and have government add a visa to your passport (im sure they would love the newrevenue stream).

The EU have agreed a single app for verifying your status, a world option would be great, maybe the WHO could issue one where only govenrments can upload your status. Im sure apple and google are already lobbying the PTB to get some sort of world wide app on their platforms.

 

[dairyfloss]

Domestically the solution will be electronic, just as the QR apps are. NSW is one state who has already announced this. And before you ask what about old people who dont have a smart phone, NSW for example already have the ability for you to get a government issued card which venues can scan to check you in to remove the nasty pen and paper model, so this can also be expanded. If you have to have your own QR code scanned to enter a venue, that makes forgeries tougher (and you put high penalties on forgeries).

Internationally, one option is to store vax status on the chip in your passport, when entering any country they electronically read your passport to both verify your identity and your vax status. Or apply and have government add a visa to your passport (im sure they would love the newrevenue stream).

The EU have agreed a single app for verifying your status, a world option would be great, maybe the WHO could issue one where only govenrments can upload your status. Im sure apple and google are already lobbying the PTB to get some sort of world wide app on their platforms.

When it comes to international travel, I expect this will be where most end up:

IATA Travel Pass Initiative

The Travel Pass App developed during the COVID-19 pandemic has now been decommissioned.

www.iata.org

 

[antycbr]

More sticks:

A major travel company responsible for brands including Contiki Tours and AAT Kings will require all guests and customer-facing staff to be vaccinated against Covid by December 1 for trips within Australia and beyond.
The Travel Corporation’s CEO David Hosking said the vaccination policy was “inevitably going to be the new normal in safe travel” with a number of other companies doing the same.

Already TTC’s US and Europe brands had adopted a position of vaccinated travellers only on tours, and Mr Hosking said it was “simply the right thing to do”.

NoCookies | The Australian

www.theaustralian.com.au

 

[Lynda2475]

More sticks

Could be viewed as a carrot for those who want to do a tour, knowing you wont be mixing with the unvaccinated in close quarters.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

More sticks:

A major travel company responsible for brands including Contiki Tours and AAT Kings will require all guests and customer-facing staff to be vaccinated against Covid by December 1 for trips within Australia and beyond.
The Travel Corporation’s CEO David Hosking said the vaccination policy was “inevitably going to be the new normal in safe travel” with a number of other companies doing the same.

Already TTC’s US and Europe brands had adopted a position of vaccinated travellers only on tours, and Mr Hosking said it was “simply the right thing to do”.

NoCookies | The Australian

www.theaustralian.com.au

Perhaps carrot (guests) and sticks (customer facing staff)???

 

[antycbr]

Perhaps carrot (guests) and sticks (customer facing staff)???

Yep, I'd have more confidence booking them now than another provider who didnt have this policy so definitely a carrot. From the employee perspective there's no doubt plenty of people displaced in tourism that would take their jobs if they don't get vaccinated.

This is just the start, expect QF, VA, ZL and people like Journey Beyond Rail and the like to make it a requirement.

If you think business will hold back and not force vaccination as a condition of employment you will be very much mistaken. Once they have cover for a "reasonable direction" to allow them to require vaccinations, employees rapidly won't have a choice. For once the god of Workplace Health and Safety might be useful.

 

[TonyHancock]

When it comes to international travel, I expect this will be where most end up:

IATA Travel Pass Initiative

The Travel Pass App developed during the COVID-19 pandemic has now been decommissioned.

www.iata.org

This -> VeriFLY has been useful for me to get into the US from Mexico but it focussed on testing. I do wonder if it will take up vaccination status? I don't have anything like the connections that others here think they do so can only wait and see what happens.

 

[jakeseven7]

This is just the start, expect QF, VA, ZL and people like Journey Beyond Rail and the like to make it a requirement.

Interestingly both VA and Rex have still not made their stance on their employees getting vaccinated clear yet… which isn’t giving their staff much time. You would hope a majority of them would do it off their own back.

 

[antycbr]

Interestingly both VA and Rex have still not made their stance on their employees getting vaccinated clear yet… which isn’t giving their staff much time. You would hope a majority of them would do it off their own back.

And don't forget QQ - Alliance is the best not so little airline around. They made a mandatory vaccination policy on 31 May.

 

[justinbrett]

Domestically the solution will be electronic, just as the QR apps are. NSW is one state who has already announced this. And before you ask what about old people who dont have a smart phone, NSW for example already have the ability for you to get a government issued card which venues can scan to check you in to remove the nasty pen and paper model, so this can also be expanded. If you have to have your own QR code scanned to enter a venue, that makes forgeries tougher (and you put high penalties on forgeries).

Internationally, one option is to store vax status on the chip in your passport, when entering any country they electronically read your passport to both verify your identity and your vax status. Or apply and have government add a visa to your passport (im sure they would love the newrevenue stream).

The EU have agreed a single app for verifying your status, a world option would be great, maybe the WHO could issue one where only govenrments can upload your status. Im sure apple and google are already lobbying the PTB to get some sort of world wide app on their platforms.

They don't need to store it on the chip - kind of like an eVisa, there just needs to be a database that the airline and country can access with your passport number to get your status.

That way airlines can scan it all well before you've presented for check in and you get the lovely "DOCS OK" printed on your boarding pass.

 

[NM]

My contribution towards the 70% mark is now delivered. 4 weeks now until eligible for 1000 QFF points.

 

[mviy]

Four age groups have gone past 60% fully vaccinated with 75-79 and 80-84 the latest age groups to reach that point. 85-89 should join them when today's numbers are released tomorrow. The day after that the 60% figure should be reached for 70+ overall.

In the 50+ age groups only 60-64 is yet to pass 40% fully vaccinated. 45-49 should go past 40% fully vaccinated when today's numbers are released tomorrow. So many age groups are about over half way to the 80% goal.

35-39 should go past 40% for first doses when today's numbers are released tomorrow. The increased availability of Pfizer should see the first dose numbers for the younger age groups increase rapidly and in a month or two that will be flowing through to second doses.

NSW has reached 61.45% first doses for 16+ overtaking the ACT to have the highest numbers of any state/territory.

SA has reached 50.26% first dose for 16+ the latest state to pass 50% for first doses. QLD and WA are yet to reach that mark.

NSW should go past 60% fully vaccinated for 70+ when today's numbers are released tomorrow and the day after should go past 50% fully vaccinated for 50+.

NSW may reach 80% for first doses for 50+ when today's numbers are released tomorrow, the first state to do that. The territory ACT is way out in front for 50+ first doses though with over 90% achieved when Monday's numbers came out yesterday.

 

[antycbr]

They don't need to store it on the chip - kind of like an eVisa, there just needs to be a database that the airline and country can access with your passport number to get your status.

That way airlines can scan it all well before you've presented for check in and you get the lovely "DOCS OK" printed on your boarding pass.

IATA and ICAO will sort it out - that's what they exist for primarily. They'll work with the major airline departure control platforms such as Sabre and Amadeus which of course directly connect to the relevant countries border control services.

Domestic might require some further thinking but I suspect vaccination information will end up in your FF profile or be required at booking (except for VA who will make it more coughbsersome than it needs to be).

 

[mviy]

Trust that will be reflected in the certificate already issued then.

Only had the one dose, but my Immunisation History now shows my dose before the name change as "AstraZeneca Vaxzevria". If you have had AstraZeneca and your immunisation history and Vaccine Certificate doesn't show the new name I'd suggest re-downloading it.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Only had the one dose, but my Immunisation History now shows my dose before the name change as "AstraZeneca Vaxzevria". If you have had AstraZeneca and your immunisation history and Vaccine Certificate doesn't show the new name I'd suggest re-downloading it.

The certificate in my Apple wallet does not mention which vaccines I had ? Is it supposed to

 

[mviy]

The certificate in my Apple wallet does not mention which vaccines I had ? Is it supposed to

Checked with a friend who has had both doses. It seems only the certificate downloaded on the website (on the computer one at least, not sure about a mobile version of the website if there is one) not the certificate in the app or the one that can be added to Apple Wallet shows the name of the type of vaccine. The immunisation history is the same document both in the app and on the website so it shows the vaccine type taken.

 

[dairyfloss]

The certificate in my Apple wallet does not mention which vaccines I had ? Is it supposed to

Checked with a friend who has had both doses. It seems only the certificate downloaded on the website (on the computer one at least, not sure about a mobile version of the website if there is one) not the certificate in the app or the one that can be added to Apple Wallet shows the name of the type of vaccine. The immunisation history is the same document both in the app and on the website so it shows the vaccine type taken.

To find the vaccine type and dates within the iOS Wallet version of the digital certificate, you need to select the three dot menu at the top right to flip the card and show you the details, like this:





Cheers,
Matt.

 

[mviy]

Front Pages: The Daily Telegraph: "Sufferers warn: Get the jab now" - "Gasping for air and so fatigued they can barely move, Sydney Covid patients have offered a window into their fight with the Delta strain. They had one message: get vaccinated now."

The Australian - "Anti-vax warriors' false claims and fury" - A Year 12 student died and it was wrongly claimed on social media that the student died shortly after having had a Pfizer vaccine dose. The reality is that the student had not had any vaccine doses. He wasn't even from one of the 12 LGAs of concern.

The Courier Mail: "No Shot No Shop" - "PM's green light for business to reject unvaxxed" - "Businesses will be able to refuse entry to unvaccinated would-be customers the Prime Minister has confirmed, ahead of national cabinet considering exemptions for immunised Australians once jab milestones have been reached. Scott Morrison stressed that under existing property law, businesses have the right to deny entry to unvaccinated people."

 

[jakeseven7]

The Courier Mail: "No Shot No Shop" - "PM's green light for business to reject unvaxxed" - "Businesses will be able to refuse entry to unvaccinated would-be customers the Prime Minister has confirmed, ahead of national cabinet considering exemptions for immunised Australians once jab milestones have been reached. Scott Morrison stressed that under existing property law, businesses have the right to deny entry to unvaccinated people."

This is great news. When I go and see Moulin Rouge in Melbourne next year with all my workmates we don’t want to be sitting next to anti vax morons!

I hope a lot of businesses take this up when the %’s get higher.

Hopefully QF and VA2 too! That or anti vaxxers can only sit on the wing (outdoor transmission is less likely in fresh air)