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The Israeli Experience with the “Green Pass” Policy Highlights Issues to Be Considered by Policymakers in Other Countries

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  • Ruth Waitzberg

    (Department of Health Care Management, Faculty of Economics & Management, Technische Universität, 10623 Berlin, Germany
    Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
    The Smokler Center for Health Policy Research, Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute, Jerusalem 91037, Israel)

  • Noa Triki

    (Ministry of Health, Jerusalem 9101002, Israel)

  • Sharon Alroy-Preis

    (Public Health Services, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem 9101002, Israel)

  • Tomer Lotan

    (Ministry of Public Security, Jerusalem 9103401, Israel)

  • Liat Shiran

    (Public Health Services, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem 9101002, Israel)

  • Nachman Ash

    (Ministry of Health, Jerusalem 9101002, Israel
    Department of Health Systems Management, School of Health Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel)

Abstract

In the first half of 2021, Israel had been ahead of other countries concerning the speed of its rollout and coverage of COVID-19 vaccinations. During that time, Israel had implemented a vaccine certificate policy, the “Green Pass Policy” (GPP), to reduce virus spread and to allow the safe relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions in a time of great uncertainty. Based on an analysis of GPP regulations and public statements compiled from the Israeli Ministry of Health website, we describe the design and implementation of the GPP. We also look back and discuss lessons learned for countries that are considering a GPP policy, given the current upsurge of the Delta variant as of summer 2021. To reduce equity concerns when introducing a GPP, all population groups should be eligible for the vaccine (contingent on approval from the manufacturer) and have access to it. Alternatively, health authorities can grant temporary certificates based on a negative test. We also highlight the fact that in practice, there will be gaps between the GPP regulations and implementation. While some places might require a GPP without legal need, others will not implement it despite a legal obligation. The GPP regulations should have standardised epidemiological criteria, be implemented gradually, remain flexible, and change according to the epidemiological risks.

Suggested Citation

  • Ruth Waitzberg & Noa Triki & Sharon Alroy-Preis & Tomer Lotan & Liat Shiran & Nachman Ash, 2021. "The Israeli Experience with the “Green Pass” Policy Highlights Issues to Be Considered by Policymakers in Other Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-9, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:21:p:11212-:d:664592
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Siciliani, Luigi & Wild, Claudia & McKee, Martin & Kringos, Dionne & Barry, Margaret M. & Barros, Pedro Pita & De Maeseneer, Jan & Murauskiene, Liubove & Ricciardi, Walter, 2020. "Strengthening vaccination programmes and health systems in the European Union: A framework for action," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 124(5), pages 511-518.
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    Cited by:

    1. Dorit Zimand-Sheiner & Ofrit Kol & Smadar Frydman & Shalom Levy, 2021. "To Be (Vaccinated) or Not to Be: The Effect of Media Exposure, Institutional Trust, and Incentives on Attitudes toward COVID-19 Vaccination," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-14, December.
    2. Alessia Marcassoli & Matilde Leonardi & Marco Passavanti & Valerio De Angelis & Enrico Bentivegna & Paolo Martelletti & Alberto Raggi, 2023. "Lessons Learned from the Lessons Learned in Public Health during the First Years of COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-21, January.

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