Parliamentary question

Written question to the European Commission

In its proposal for a Council recommendation on strengthened cooperation against vaccine-preventable diseases (COM(2018)0244), the Commission set out its intention to examine the feasibility of developing a common vaccination card for people in the EU by no later than 2021. This vaccination card would take into account national vaccination schedules, be compatible with electronic immunisation information systems and be accredited for cross-border use, thereby reducing duplications.

The adoption of a common vaccination card is even more urgent in light of the imminent roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines. People in the EU who have received the vaccine should be able to prove this to authorities in an easy, effective manner without having their personal data and privacy compromised. The vaccination card could facilitate travel during the pandemic, strengthen the case for vaccines, support immunisation monitoring, and ultimately bring an end to pandemic restrictions through active acquired immunity. A common vaccination card for COVID-19 could contribute to the long-term management of the pandemic while serving as the foundation for a general European card for all vaccines in the future.

Given the urgency of the COVID-19 pandemic, does the Commission intend to present a proposal for a common vaccination card in 2021, and how will such a proposal guarantee the protection of personal data, privacy and the preservation of fundamental rights?

Answer given by Commissioner Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission

The Commission is carrying out a feasibility study for the development of a common EU citizens’ vaccination card. This is a pre-COVID-19 initiative required for the implementation of the Council Recommendation on strengthened cooperation against vaccine-preventable diseases from 2018.

However, the Commission acknowledges the urgent need for a common approach to certification for COVID-19 vaccination.

To facilitate safe free movement in the EU, the Commission has presented a proposal to create a Digital Green Certificate system, which includes support for vaccination certificates, but also for test results and recovery certificates. It should be noted that the regulation on Digital Green Certificates only covers COVID-19 vaccinations, and is proposed to only be in force for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Therefore, after the pandemic other more stable tools will be needed to also support other vaccinations. A possible common EU citizens’ vaccination card and the use of vaccination data through the currently operational MyHealth @ EU infrastructure are examples of such tools. Data protection issues are of high importance, and they have been already extensively taken into account in the MyHealth @ EU infrastructure.

The ongoing work on certification of COVID-19 vaccination will take the feasibility study for the development of a common EU citizens’ vaccination card duly into account.

According to the roadmap for the implementation of the Council Recommendation, the Commission will present a proposal for a common EU citizens’ vaccination card in 2022. The actual form and content will depend on the feasibility study.