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I copy and pasted from different parts of the article on the WHO website regarding vaccinations as requirements for entry and exiting international travel destinations. The whole article can be read by clicking the link below.
At the present time, it is WHO’s position that national authorities and conveyance operators should not introduce requirements of proof of COVID-19 vaccination for international travel as a condition for departure or entry, given that there are still critical unknowns regarding the efficacy of vaccination in reducing transmission. In addition, considering that there is limited availability of vaccines, preferential vaccination of travellers could result in inadequate supplies of vaccines for priority populations considered at high risk of severe COVID-19 disease. WHO also recommends that people who are vaccinated should not be exempt from complying with other travel risk-reduction measures.
Another ethical consideration is equity in the general distribution of benefits and burdens. In the context of unequal vaccine distribution, individuals who do not have access to an authorized COVID-19 vaccine would be unfairly impeded in their freedom of movement if proof of vaccination status became a condition for entry to or exit from a country. National authorities should choose public health interventions that least infringe on individual freedom of movement.
States Parties, who have agreed to the provisions of the IHR, are expected to abide by its stipulations concerning the introduction of a requirement for proof of vaccination for outgoing or incoming international travellers. At its 6th meeting on 14 January 2021, the COVID-19 IHR Emergency Committee regarding the COVID-19 pandemic advised that it is premature for countries to require proof of vaccination for international travellers. Subsequently, the WHO Director-General, in the context of the public health emergency of international concern related to COVID-19 pandemic, issued the following Temporary Recommendation for countries: “At the present time, countries should not introduce requirements of proof of vaccination or immunity for international travel as a condition of entry as there are still critical unknowns regarding the efficacy of vaccination in reducing transmission and limited availability of vaccines.”
Currently, yellow fever is the only disease mentioned in the IHR for which countries can require proof of vaccination for international travellers (Annex 7 of the IHR). In addition, in the context of the public health emergency of international concern of the international spread of poliovirus, and following the advice of the Polio IHR Emergency Committee, WHO issues every three months Temporary Recommendations allowing certain affected countries to require proof of polio vaccination for international travellers.
Should the requirement of proof of COVID-19 vaccination for international travellers be introduced in future in accordance with IHR provisions, vaccines must be approved by WHO*, and be of suitable quality and universally available, for the protection of all people from international spread of disease. (See Articles 31, 36, 40, 43 and Annexes 6 and 7 of the IHR for more information on provisions related to vaccination requirements for international travellers. For provisions related to the issuance of Temporary Recommendations or Standing Recommendations under the Regulations, which may allow countries to introduce requirements of proof of vaccination for international travellers as a condition of entry or exit, see Articles 12, 15, 18 and 53.)
*Vaccines “approved” by WHO means: WHO Prequalified vaccines or included in the Emergency Use List
