Public Health – HLN Consulting, LLC

Vaccine Credentials Do Not Replace Full Vaccination Histories

by Noam Arzton May 9, 2021

More than a year into the COVID-19 outbreak and the lockdowns to slow the spread of the virus, one of the key factors to reopen the United States and some other countries may be a requirement for individuals to prove that they have been vaccinated against COVID-19. This “Proof” of vaccination is called vaccine credentialing and will likely be embodied in a paper or electronic certificate. We have discussed this extensively in a series of articles (see below). On the other hand there are already systems of records that have a far more extensive vaccination history. There is a major concern here among public health officials that the push to minimalization with vaccine credentials will push aside fuller vaccination history. As part of their core function, Immunization Information Systems (IIS) already provide complete and comprehensive immunization records for the individuals whose records they hold either directly or through a clinical provider. In this article we will address the similarities and differences between vaccine credentials and traditional immunization histories and offer some opportunities for public health to maintain its role in data access.

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Vaccine Credentialing Activities: It’s All About the Rules!

by Noam Arzton March 26, 2021

In my previous article, I wrote about the World Health Organization’s Interim guidance describing its technical approach to Smart Vaccination Certificates. What the WHO is doing is the first step. In this article, I would like to address the next steps that need to be taken. Specifically, how are organizations going to use the Smart Vaccine Certificates. This issue boils down to the rules that are going to be developed and adopted to make the SVC’s usable. Many of these rules currently don’t exist so we will start by analyzing some key factors.

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Vaccine Credentialing Activities: A Complicated Path Forward in the US (Part 3) – Recommendations

by Noam Arzton March 16, 2021

As COVID-19 vaccination increases the US is preparing for a phased reopening. A key factor of that reopening in the United States and some other countries may be a requirement for individuals to prove that they have been vaccinated against COVID-19. “Proof” will likely be embodied in a paper – or perhaps electronic – certificate whose source and contents can be independently verified to ensure validity. Uses of such a certificate include international travel, and perhaps also regional travel (like what is being proposed in the European Union), admission to large venues such as sporting events or other entertainment, and even school or business admission.

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Vaccine Credentialing Activities: A Complicated Path Forward in the US (Part 2) – Major Initiatives Underway

by Noam Arzton March 9, 2021

As COVID-19 vaccination increases the US is preparing for a phased reopening. A key factor of that reopening in the United States and some other countries may be a requirement for individuals to prove that they have been vaccinated against COVID-19. “Proof” will likely be embodied in a paper – or perhaps electronic – certificate whose source and contents can be independently verified to ensure validity. Uses of such a certificate include international travel, and perhaps also domestic regional travel (like what is being proposed in the European Union), and perhaps also domestic travel, admission to large venues such as sporting events or other entertainment, and even school or business admission.

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Vaccine Credentialing Activities: A Complicated Path Forward in the US (Part 1) – Potential Sources of Data

by Noam Arzton March 4, 2021

As COVID-19 vaccination increases the US is preparing for a phased reopening. A key factor of that reopening in the United States and some other countries may be a requirement for individuals to prove that they have been vaccinated against COVID-19. “Proof” will likely be embodied in a paper – or perhaps electronic – certificate whose source and contents can be independently verified to ensure validity. Uses of such a certificate include international travel, and perhaps also domestic travel (like what is being proposed in the European Union), admission to large venues such as sporting events or other entertainment, and even school or business admission.

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