Summer holiday 'vaccine passports' ruled out by Westminister

Nadhim Zahawi said the UK is not looking at introducing vaccine passports and suggested people would ask their GP to provide proof of their jab if required by other countries ahead of any future visit.

Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi credit : UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor /PA Wire

Asked if the UK is looking at introducing them, Mr Zahawi told Sky News' Sophy Ridge On Sunday: "No we're not. We have, as of yesterday, given the first dose to 11.5 million people and what they get is a card from the NHS with their name on it, the date they've been vaccinated with the first dose and the date for their second dose.

"One, we don't know the impact of the vaccines on transmission, two, it'd be discriminatory. I think the right thing to do is make sure people come forward and be vaccinated because they want to rather than it being made in some way mandatory through a passport.

"If other countries require some form of proof then you can ask your GP - your GP will hold the record - and that will then be able to be used as your proof that you've had the vaccine.

"We're not planning to have a passport in the UK."

He added: "There are small start-up technology companies that have had some funding from UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) and Innovate UK who are looking at apps in this area, but we're certainly not looking to introduce it as part of the vaccine deployment programme."

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