Showing proof of vaccination spurs debate

By Jonathan O'Neill

June 1, 2021

Requiring patrons and employees to show vaccination cards has become a very controversial topic, with many people having different opinions on whether or not they are ethical or even legal. Both medical and legal professionals believe that there are no legal issues with a business or store requiring a vaccine card to work and/or not wear a mask in the business.

One of the biggest grievances with the idea of a vaccination card was that it would violate HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). HIPAA was made so that people could keep their medical information private. Under HIPPA, medical professionals were supposed to keep them private unless directly given consent from the patient.

According to an article from the University of Michigan, showing proof of vaccination has been required for over one hundred years for various different reasons. Going to school, coming to Ellis Island, and obtaining a job in the health care field have all required people to show their vaccination status.

According to the same article, HIPAA has been misunderstood by the public. HIPAA does not cover privacy protections in all aspects of health information. “ It [HIPPA] does not apply to the average person or business outside healthcare. It doesn’t give someone personal protection against ever having to disclose their health information.”

Since vaccine cards do not violate HIPAA laws, businesses are free to require them in order to be unmasked when working or visiting their business.

One of the most important pieces of news that we as seniors have received is the possibility or the reality that the colleges we will be attending will require a vaccination in order to go to campus this fall. Siena college is one of dozens that will require vaccination in order to live on campus and attend classes. It’s quite possible if not probable that they will require your vaccination card in order to confirm vaccination.

The vaccine cards are very important regardless if they are to be used in order to be unmasked in an indoor setting. There is a lot of important information on the card so it’s necessary to keep them safe and not to lose them.

Many experts suggest not to carry your original vaccination card on your person but rather a picture or a copy of the card, so that you have no chance of losing the card or the card being stolen from you. Despite a replacement card being available, a record of vaccination beyond just the card, it’s still necessary to not to lose yours because replacing it could be a pain.