Press release date: 15th April 2020
As the discussion around COVID-19 immunity grows, there is a clear and obvious need to be prepared in terms of demonstrating such immunity to employers for those returning to work and to immigration authorities when undertaking international travel. Within many sections of society (including specific groups such as aid workers, health workers and government officials needing to travel urgently as part of the pandemic response) proof of immunity is certain to be an essential component in allowing a rebooting of society towards normality.
The Tropical Medical Bureau Group, TMB (IE), Nomad Travel (UK), in association with pharmaceutical and vaccine partners, propose that guidelines in regard to an immunity certificate for COVID-19 must be developed urgently to allow policy makers and public health bodies provide a globally accepted certification of immunity.
The TMB group are one of the leading providers of vaccination certificates in Europe. The protocols and design of a COVID-19 immunity certificate should be influenced by the World Health Organisation’s recognised international certificate used to show cover against Yellow Fever. The guidelines for such a certificate can be rapidly developed and be presented in the form of a short internationally acceptable report.
The report will include key elements such as:
- Reasoning and need for an International Certificate of Covid-19 immunity
- Recommendations for design and layout of the certificate
- Certificate production guidelines
- Authorisation guidelines
Last week Chile announced that they will now issue certificates to individuals that have recovered from COVID-19 in the hope that it will speed up their reintegration into their communities.
ENDS
For further information please contact Niamh Waters, email niamh@travelmedia.ie or call +353 86 049 2394. Interview opportunities available.
About Tropical Medical Bureau Group
The Tropical Medical Bureau Group (encompassing Nomad Travel in the UK) is the leading travel medicine clinic group in Ireland, specialists in providing the best information and medical care available for the international traveller. Collectively, the TMB Group sees approximately 60,000 patients on an annual basis, ranging from the private holiday maker to employees of commercial companies, and overseas volunteers to NGO’s and Government departments, all of whom benefit from the expertise of our highly experienced clinic staff.
Since it was founded in 1988, TMB has undergone major growth and expansion to currently encompass 30 clinics, 20 clinics in Ireland (four base clinics and 16 associate clinics). In 2016, TMB acquired Nomad Travel Clinics in the UK. Nomad Travel Clinics has 25 years’ experience in travel health, pharmacy & retail, throughout 10 clinics across the UK.
What distinguishes TMB is our vast experience and expertise, as well as our superb patient aftercare. All our patients have a detailed consultation with one of our specialised healthcare staff. This covers everything from food and water risks, mosquito avoidance, malaria and thrombosis, as well as risks associated from altitude exposure, and also Zika and COVID-19 risks, which may be associated with your trip. Following a detailed consultation, we then decide on which travel vaccines and malaria tablets are appropriate. Our specialised travel medicine software is constantly being updated with travel news, so if anything is happening in your destination that you need to be aware of, we’ll make sure you are.
TMB recently launched a new Tele Consultation service, available for all new and existing patients.
Run through Skype shared screen facilities, this full standard consultation service will cover all the protocols and practices TMB have used over the past 30 years – taking into account the need for physical separation in this day of COVID-19. Those requiring vaccinations are then seen for a shorter time to have them administered in appropriate circumstances.