[Skip to Content]
[Skip to Content Landing]

The Ethics of COVID-19 Immunity-Based Licenses (“Immunity Passports”)

Educational Objective
To understand the ethical dilemmas of COVID-19 Immunity-Based Licenses (“Immunity Passports”)
1 Credit CME

Chile, Germany, and the UK, among others, have indicated they will implement certifications that a person has contracted and recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) or, in the future, has received a COVID-19 vaccine. Such policies have been discussed, but not implemented, in the US. However, if other countries require these certifications for entrance, the US may adopt them to enable travel, generating calls to use them more broadly.

Certifications of immunity are sometimes called “immunity passports” but are better conceptualized as immunity-based licenses. Such policies raise important questions about fairness, stigma, and counterproductive incentives but could also further individual freedom and improve public health.

Sign in to take quiz and track your certificates

Buy This Activity
Our websites may be periodically unavailable between 12:00am CT March 25, 2023 and 4:00pm CT March 26, 2023 for regularly scheduled maintenance.

JN Learning™ is the home for CME and MOC from the JAMA Network. Search by specialty or US state and earn AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ from articles, audio, Clinical Challenges and more. Learn more about CME/MOC

CME Disclosure Statement: Unless noted, all individuals in control of content reported no relevant financial relationships. If applicable, all relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.

Article Information

Corresponding Author: Ezekiel J. Emanuel, MD, PhD, Department Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 423 Guardian Dr, Blockley Hall, Ste 1412, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (MEHPchair@upenn.edu).

Published Online: May 6, 2020. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.8102

Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Dr Persad reported receiving grants from The Greenwall Foundation. Dr Emanuel reported receiving speaking fees from numerous entities, stock ownership in Nuna, investment partnership in Oak HC/FT, and receipt of grants from Hawaii Medical Service Association and Oscar Health.

References
1.
Childress  JF , Faden  RR , Gaare  RD ,  et al.  Public health ethics: mapping the terrain.   J Law Med Ethics. 2002;30(2):170-178.PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref
2.
Mullin  E . “Immunity passports” could create a new category of privilege: being infected with the virus could come with more freedom. OneZero. Published April 23, 2020. Accessed April 30, 2020. https://onezero.medium.com/immunity-passports-could-create-a-new-category-of-privilege-2f70ce1b905
3.
Emanuel  EJ , Persad  G , Upshur  R ,  et al.  Fair allocation of scarce medical resources in the time of Covid-19.   N Engl J Med. Published online March 23, 2020. doi:10.1056/NEJMsb2005114PubMedGoogle Scholar
4.
Parfit  D .  Equality and priority.   Ratio. 1997;10(3):202-221. doi:10.1111/1467-9329.00041Google ScholarCrossref
5.
Hawkins  JS , Emanuel  EJ .  Clarifying confusions about coercion.   Hastings Cent Rep. 2005;35(5):16-19. PubMedGoogle Scholar
AMA CME Accreditation Information

Credit Designation Statement: The American Medical Association designates this Journal-based CME activity activity for a maximum of 1.00  AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to:

  • 1.00 Medical Knowledge MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program;;
  • 1.00 Self-Assessment points in the American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery’s (ABOHNS) Continuing Certification program;
  • 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Pediatrics’ (ABP) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program;
  • 1.00 Lifelong Learning points in the American Board of Pathology’s (ABPath) Continuing Certification program; and
  • 1.00 CME points in the American Board of Surgery’s (ABS) Continuing Certification program

It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting MOC credit.

Close
Want full access to the AMA Ed Hub?
After you sign up for AMA Membership, make sure you sign in or create a Physician account with the AMA in order to access all learning activities on the AMA Ed Hub
Buy this activity
Close
Want full access to the AMA Ed Hub?
After you sign up for AMA Membership, make sure you sign in or create a Physician account with the AMA in order to access all learning activities on the AMA Ed Hub
Buy this activity
Close
With a personal account, you can:
  • Access free activities and track your credits
  • Personalize content alerts
  • Customize your interests
  • Fully personalize your learning experience
Education Center Collection Sign In Modal Right
Close

Name Your Search

Save Search
With a personal account, you can:
  • Access free activities and track your credits
  • Personalize content alerts
  • Customize your interests
  • Fully personalize your learning experience
Close
Close

Lookup An Activity

or

My Saved Searches

You currently have no searches saved.

Close

My Saved Courses

You currently have no courses saved.

Close