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?:abstract
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Background: COVID-19 immunity passports could protect the right to free movement but may also critics worry about insufficient evidence, privacy, fraud, and discrimination. Objective: To characterize the global physician community\'s opinions regarding immunity passports. Design: Cross sectional, random stratified sample of physicians registered with Sermo, a global networking platform open to verified and licensed physicians. Main outcome measures: The survey asked: \'Digital immunity passports, based on antibody testing, are being considered to offer proof (e.g. via an app or QR code) that a person has developed lasting immunity to COVID-19 and hence can return to work or travel freely. In your opinion, do we know enough about COVID-19 immunity and it\'s duration to offer such immunity passports at the present time?\' Possible answers were YES, NO, and UNCERTAIN. Results: The survey was completed by 1004 physicians (67 specialties, 40 countries, 49% frontline specialties) with a mean (SD) age of 49.14 (12) years. Overall, 52% answered NO, 17% were UNCERTAIN, and 31% answered YES (p<0.05). EU physicians were more likely to say YES but even among them it did not exceed 35% approval. US physicians (60%) were more likely to say NO (p<0.05) (Figure). Conclusions: Our findings suggest a current lack of support among physicians for immunity passports. It is hoped that ongoing research and vaccine trials will provide further clarity.
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