People in Wales will get ID-style card to show they have been vaccinated for coroanvirus

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No10 today stopped short of completely ruling out ‘immunity passports’ despite insisting it is ‘not something the PM wants’.

Downing Street played down the idea of giving people who have had vaccines more freedoms, saying it would not be fair while the jabs were still being distributed according to priorities.

But the PM’s press secretary Allegra Stratton did not totally close off the possibility that such documentation could be used after the full rollout, merely stressing that it was not Boris Johnson’s preferred approach.   

The dodging came as it emerged that people in Wales are to receive an ID-style card to show they have been vaccinated for coronavirus. 

Health minister Vaughan Gething revealed the move as he hailed news that that Pfizer jabs have been approved by UK regulators.

The cards will include the date of immunisation, with the Labour-run Welsh government insisting it will serve as a ‘reminder’ about when individuals need the second dose. 

However, they sparked an immediate backlash with fears of an ‘authoritarian’ crackdown as pubs, shops and other public venues demand to see the proof before people are given access. 

UK government ministers have tried to cool the idea they are preparing official ‘immunity passports’ that would allow people to return to normal life once they have received a jab.

But vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi suggested earlier this week that although the jabs will be voluntary, businesses could ask to see proof before allowing people in.

Ms Stratton told journalists at a briefing this afternoon that there were no immediate plans to introduce ‘immunity passports’.

She pointed to the way the vaccines were being spread through the population, with the elderly and most vulnerable getting it first.

‘If we’re saying to people there is a priority list… we can’t then be denying people freedoms or liberties,’ she said. 

Pressed repeatedly on whether the policy could ever be introduced, she added: ‘Immunity passports is not something the PM wants to go ahead with.’  

UK regulators today approved Pfizer/BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine, paving the way for mass vaccination to start in just days.

Officials said the jab — which the UK has ordered 40million doses of — will be made available ‘from next week’ as Health Secretary Matt Hancock declared ‘help is on its way’.

Department of Health and Social Care officials made the announcement just after 7am this morning, as England left its second national lockdown and shops reopened for ‘wild Wednesday’. 

Pfizer/BioNTech’s vaccine has been shown to block 95 per cent of coronavirus infections in late-stage trials, with equal efficacy among younger volunteers and those over 65 who are most at risk from Covid.  

Mr Hancock declared the end of the pandemic was ‘in sight’ today, revealing that 800,000 doses of the jab will be available next week — enough to vaccinate 400,000 people because it is administered in two shots — but conceded the bulk of the roll out won’t happen until the New Year.

He said: ‘The NHS stands ready to start vaccinating early next week. The UK is the first country in the world to have a clinically approved vaccine for supply.’ 

Mr Hancock revealed those ‘who are vulnerable from Covid’ will be first in line, meaning care home residents and workers will be first to be contacted — despite claims NHS workers would be first. 

In a statement to the Welsh parliament, Mr Gething said: ‘Those receiving a COVID-19 vaccination will be given a credit card-sized NHS Wales immunisation card which will have the vaccine name, date of immunisation and batch number of each of the doses given handwritten on them. 

‘These will act as a reminder for a second dose and for the type of vaccine, and it will also give information about how to report side effects.’ 

Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford tweeted: ‘Significant news this morning.

‘Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to make this a reality.

‘Our vaccine programme is ready to go, but the impact won’t be seen nationally for some months.

‘In the meantime, we all must continue to follow the rules and protect each other.’

But Tory MP and former minister David Jones, who represents Clwyd West, said it was more evidence of the ‘authoritarian’ streak in the Welsh government.

‘It is not really surprising. The Welsh government has shown itself to be very authoritarian throughout this pandemic,’ he told MailOnline.

‘They have imposed a lot more restrictions than England.

‘You would hope that these cards are not expected to be carried, and if people want to throw them away then they should be entitled to.

‘We don’t want to get to the stage where government are requiring people to carry cards.’

Grey Collier of campaign group Liberty said: ‘Any form of immunity card raises more questions than it answers. It is currently unclear how these cards will be used, and whether people could be asked to use them to prove they have immunity.

‘Once cards like these have been created it would be easy for their use to be extended so they can be used like an immunity passport. This could result in people who don’t have a card potentially being blocked from essential public services, work or housing – with the most marginalised among us hardest hit.

‘This has wider implications too because any form of immunity passport could pave the way for a full ID system – an idea which has repeatedly been rejected as incompatible with building a rights-respecting society.

‘We have always supported proportionate action to protect lives, but that must not come at the expense of our rights and freedoms.’

Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove was asked during a round of interviews yesterday whether people could need to prove they had been given coronavirus vaccines to enter bars and restaurants in England. He replied flatly: ‘No.’ 

Pressed on whether they could be required at theatres or sports centres, he said: ‘No I don’t think so, no.’

The comments contrasted with the words from new vaccine minister Nadhim Zahawi, who indicated on Monday that although an injection would be voluntary some venues might insist on proof of one before granting entry.

‘You’ll probably find restaurants and bars and cinemas and other venues – sports venues – will probably also use that system as they’ve done with the app,’ Mr Zahawi told the BBC.  

The imminent prospect of a huge vaccination drive has raised questions over whether those waiting for a jab – or refusing to have one – will enjoy fewer freedoms than those who have protection.

Airlines have already been examining the idea of asking for ‘immunity passports’ as a condition of flying.

Mr Hancock urged England to abide by the controversial three-tier lockdown system that came into force today after being approved last night, saying the end is ‘in sight’ and that ‘we’ve got to keep people safe in the meantime’. He told BBC Breakfast: ‘From Easter onwards, things are going to be better and we’re going to have a summer next year that everybody can enjoy.’ 

Boris Johnson hailed the vaccine’s approval this morning, saying it would ‘allow us to reclaim our lives and get the economy moving again’. The Prime Minister tweeted: ‘It’s fantastic that @MHRAgovuk has formally authorised the @Pfizer/@BioNTech_Group vaccine for Covid-19. The vaccine will begin to be made available across the UK from next week. It’s the protection of vaccines that will ultimately allow us to reclaim our lives and get the economy moving again.’

Mass-vaccination is seen as the only way to put an end to the perpetual opening up and closing down of society through draconian lockdowns, which have had devastating consequences on the economy and wider health.

In total, Britain will receive 10million doses of Pfizer/BioNTech’s vaccine by the end of the year, enough to inoculate 5million people, with the remaining 40million doses due in the first quarter of 2021. 

Government advisers met this morning to iron out a final vaccine priority list, following reports that NHS workers would now be first in line to be inoculated. The most recent guidance, drawn up by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), says care home residents and the staff who look after them should be prioritised.

However, Pfizer’s jab has to be stored at -70C which makes transporting the vaccine to care homes a logistical nightmare. Fifty NHS hospitals are already equipped with the super-cold freezers, which means health staff are likely to be immunised first.