Passengers flying on Singapore Airlines will be required to show proof of vaccination by the end of 2019 when they book a flight. The move, which will require that airline staff undergo proper government checks before being hired, would be made to ensure passengers receive the correct vaccinations, the airline announced on Sunday.
“Singapore Airlines is embarking on a new initiative to provide passengers with a comprehensive level of service as well as multiple avenues to obtain verified vaccination records,” the company said in a statement. “To ensure consistency, immunization records will be treated the same as the passport’s passport number with Singapore Airlines. Passengers who wish to pursue the wrong vaccination and are suspicious of inconsistencies, can request a vaccine from their doctor for a refund.”
Singapore Airlines, the biggest airline in the region by far, is following in the footsteps of Cathay Pacific Airways, which this year announced its flights would require certain officials to present proof of vaccination before boarding. If no form of vaccination was produced, such an official can refuse boarding and the passenger must be offered the right to reschedule.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 400,000 U.S. adults will contract measles during the 2018-2019 season. Other countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States, where travelers to the U.S. can forgo lab testing if they want to skip the vaccination, are starting to see a rise in measles outbreaks.
Read the full story at The Guardian.
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