An Australian vaccine passport could persuade the hesitant to get jabbed faster

Rolling out a vaccine passport in Australia would reward the fully vaxxed and encourage those who are hesitant to get jabbed faster.

The one tiny advantage of being months behind other parts of the world is that no Covid challenge here has not already been tackled somewhere else.

Britain is rolling out its vaccine passport plans, to widespread support.

France, too, has introduced vaccine passports, albeit with protests rich in claims about the erosion of liberty and freedom. But the announcement there of a vaccine “health pass” prompted 2.2 million people to book an appointment within 48 hours.

The prospect of vaccine passports here will have a similar effect. Chunks of the vaccine hesitant community, generally those categorised as “wait and see”, will get vaccinated if passports are introduced.

Perhaps 90 per cent of the population, as opposed to the goalpost 80 per cent, could be vaccinated by the fact of a passport incentive.

Vaccine passports has seen an surge in jab bookings in other countries.

Such an enthusiastic take up will not only temper the virus spread, but also protect those with allergies or underlying medical reasons who cannot be safely vaccinated.

Those who do not get jabbed will be far more likely to get sick and die. They will clog health systems and threaten to overwhelm emergency departments.

Yet the notion of missing out seems to have as strong an effect on the choice as any fear of dying.

In Britain, they have a Vaccine Minister. Prime Minister Boris Johnson demanded proof of vaccination, or at least a negative test, for a gathering of politicians at Downing St.

That country is pursuing passports for major events, such as concerts and soccer matches.

Not all the data is one way – Scottish Labour, for example, has signalled a vote against vaccine passports for fear they might promote hesitancy.

Passengers at Manchester Airport where travel has been restored.

Yet what’s the alternative? In Sydney, they talk about the fully vaccinated drinking beers at a pub within weeks.

The tone in Victoria has shifted. The desire to go to the footy, or a restaurant, will be dictated by what Premier Dan Andrews calls a “vaccine economy”.

It’s welcome progress, but it needs to be handled with respect. Passports will drive some of the hesitant – estimated broadly at about 10 per cent – to get vaccinated. Yet they will also entrench resistance in those who cite rabid application to principles and freedom.

These people shouldn’t be alienated – even if their views conflict with logic, reason and the greater good.

One recent report, by Community and Patients Preference Research, has shown that four in 10 of the vaccine hesitant won’t be swayed.

This leaves almost six in 10 who could be. That’s a lot of people who, sadly, could equate to a lot of hospital beds.

We need every person who might be convinced to get jabbed in Australia to do so. Even, as some have suggested, we have to pay them.