LEADING public health experts in Scotland have called for the extension of vaccine passports ahead of an decision to be expected today by the Scottish Government on whether they should be introduced more widely.

Last week the First Minister said her Cabinet would take stock of the situation before updating Holyrood this afternoon on whether the certificates - which provide proof of being double jagged - should be required by people going into bars, restaurants and cinemas as well as for gym users.

Ministers see the move as a way of encouraging people who have not been vaccinated to get jabbed both to protect themselves and others as well as alleviate pressure on the NHS which is currently on an emergency footing because of Covid pressures. They also regard the policy as an alternative to more far reaching lockdown restrictions such as closing pubs and restaurants.

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Professor Andrew Watterson, a public health expert at Stirling University, backed extending the Covid passport scheme arguing that persuasion had not managed to convince all Scots to get jabbed.

"Other public health tools like the vaccination passports are needed and, if properly and fairly and effectively applied, they work," he told The National.

"The alternatives are lockdowns and much tougher controls of indoor spaces which would damage businesses far more than extending the passport scheme."

Watterson said information from Israel and Italy and elsewhere - where vaccine certificates or "green passes" came in during July 2021 - suggest the schemes work and are one way of improving vaccination uptake and protecting public health.

"Norway has also now re-introduced their green pass scheme. In these countries the majority of their populations usually support such interventions," he said.

"It is precautionary and the health benefits for the population as a whole far outweigh the costs in a wave not fully under control. The measures would also be reviewed when Covid numbers drop."

Pointing to protests and riots over the reimposing of restrictions in some European countries over the weekend, he said "a small minority of rioters should never determine public health policy anywhere".

The Scottish Chamber of Commerce (SCC) has insisted there is no evidence that vaccine passport work.

But Watterson disagreed saying the evidence existed in other countries where the schemes have operated successfully for several months.

"SCC also argue against extending mask wearing and working from home again measures that would help some SMEs to ensure they can keep working and avoid employees as well as customers becoming ill," he said adding that the extension of the scheme may benefit hospitality outlets by reassuring customers that all customers were vaccinated.

"I think in many smaller bars, pubs and gyms, the extension of the scheme would re-assure and should bring more benefits to customers and staff than burdens which should not be too onerous if the schemes are carefully thought through and properly applied," he added.

"Bottom line is that passports are generally a good public health measure, should be extended and good for businesses. This should help to avoid more stringent and economically damaging measures coming in if we fail to suppress Covid further when winter conditions favouring Covid and flu develop and more people gather inside with the NHS in Scotland already very stretched."

Dr Genevie Fernandes, a public health expert at Edinburgh University, said it was reasonable to extend vaccine passports to hospitality settings such as bars, restaurants, cinemas, and gyms.

"France implemented the ‘health pass’ (proof of vaccination or negative Covid-19 test) and saw a rise in uptake of the Covid-19 vaccination," she said.

"The biggest public health reason is reaching universal vaccination coverage where all eligible adults have received two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. This will help in suppressing the spread of SARS-CoV2.

"When we make vaccine passports compulsory, we actively nudge individuals to seek vaccinations. As we implement this policy, it is also equally important to ensure access to vaccinations through easily available information and increased walk-in centres at accessible times." 

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She was asked if the measure could benefit the businesses themselves by providing assurance to potential customers that other customers are vaccinated.

She replied: "While business owners might perceive vaccine passports as an added stress with a possible impact on reducing customer footfall, I think it has more benefits for multiple stakeholders.

"Staff will remain healthy and there will be lesser attrition due to infection and isolation. Customers can visit the establishments without the anxiety of possible catching an infection, and this could increase the footfall, and businesses will benefit.

"Most importantly, we will reach a greater coverage of fully vaccinated individuals with vaccine passports serving a nudge, and this will greatly reduce the pressure on the NHS especially now as we move towards winter."