COVID-19 cases continue to rise at a steady pace in Alberta and the vaccination passport debate remains a hot topic.

The UCP government is remaining steadfast in its stand to not mandate vaccination passports.

As more and more independent businesses, venues and learning institutions are requiring proof of vaccination for COVID-19, there is a need for some type of hardcopy validation to gain access to certain places.

Not to be confused with passports, some provinces are providing vaccination cards to offer proof for entry.

Health Minister Shandro has said in a Twitter thread saying quote, “To be clear, the Alberta government has not and will not mandate a so-called ‘vaccine passport’ for domestic use.

The government is encouraging Albertans to access their vaccination records online through MyHealthAlberta.ca. Shandro says Albertans will soon be able to print a smaller paper proof-of-vaccination card that can be used to show proof of vaccination.  It is not a passport but will help gain access to businesses and institutions that require proof that you have been fully vaccinated against COVID-18. The idea is to supposedly provide the convenience of a small card as opposed to letter-sized paper proof. That convenience seems to be thwarted thus far as there seem to be a lot of technical issues with accessing the online records only adding to COVID-19 frustrations.

There is a chance that proof of vaccination will drive up vaccination rates in Alberta as the province has the lowest vaccination rates in the country. It has been reported that other provinces which have increased proof for entry have seen an increase in vaccine uptake.

A recent Angus Reid poll found most Canadian’s support vaccine passports, with two-thirds agreeing immunization should be mandatory for large public events.