B.C. doctors want venues to scan vaccine passports, not just look at them to help avoid forgeries
Doctors in B.C. are urging venues to not just look at customers' vaccine passports but also to scan them in an effort to weed out possible forged proof of vaccination.
Indoor venues that are required to check vaccine passports have two choices: visually confirm that the name on the card matches a photo ID, or scan the embedded QR code with a mobile app that is linked to the province’s vaccination database.
Scanning would confirm the passport is authentic. But many businesses are choosing to do a visual check instead, and some B.C. doctors are worried that could open the door to fakes.
“The province did go through all the trouble to develop this code. If they’re not going to scan the code, it can lead to forgeries, and somebody who is savvy enough with Photoshop to do some nefarious tinkering,” said family physician Dr. Anna Wolak.
At the Vancouver Canucks home opener Tuesday night, most fans only had their vaccine passport visually checked against photo ID. There were random scans of some guests QR codes, a practice the team says it will step up for future games.
Emergency room physician Dr. Nav Grewal would like see the arena scan everyone’s vaccine passport.
“Large venues like Rogers Arena and B.C. Place and other sites where they are already scanning tickets, it should be fairly simple for them to use these devices to scan them. And if they wouldn’t accept a visual check on regular ticket, they should be doing the same thing for the vax pass,” Grewal said.
While Health Minister Adrian Dix said he recommends businesses scan the QR code, a visual check is also acceptable.
“Both are possible and both can happen,” said Dix. “You have to show your B.C. vaccine card and you have to show your ID everywhere, and that’s what’s required. Scanning the QR code is a further advantage we would recommend.”
Family physician Dr. Karina Zeidler would like to see more than a recommendation. She believes scanning should be a requirement.
“If you’re going to do a mitigation strategy, you should actually put it in so it’s mandated, that people have to do the mitigation strategy,” said Zeidler.
Wolak said she’s worried if people who are unvaccinated are able to get into large indoor gatherings with forged passports, they could become super spreader events.
“You need to scan it. I think it needs to be across the board, and it is simple enough,” said Wolak who added that she downloaded the mobile scanning app and found it didn’t take any longer than a visual check.
But for now, scanning is optional. And many businesses are choosing the visual check instead.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Manitoba mom praises quick-thinking fire department for freeing daughter stuck in playground equipment
A Manitoba mother is praising firefighters for their quick work in helping her daughter who got stuck at a playground in Lorette, Man.