COVID-19 Various statistics related to vaccine passports: FOI release

Information requested

1. Can you please provide statistics from Scotland's data to show the impacts that this NPI has had on the spread of coronavirus in the Scottish population?

2. Can you provide statistics of any Scottish coronavirus outbreaks linked to places which have Vaccine passports in place since 1/10/21?

3. Can you please advise how many people have downloaded the passport app?

4. Can you advise how many people have been unsuccessful in downloading the app due to its limitations and not being able to match data (myself being one with no answer to my emailed query one month later)?

5. Can you please advise how many people have deleted the app?

6. Can you please provide Impact Assessments for the introduction of the Vaccine Passport app and website?

7. Can you please provide total cost for the app to the Scottish Government?

Response

1. Understanding the effects of the scheme, and how it is being implemented, requires data about the use of the technology, vaccinations, and the impact on society and the economy. However, it is challenging to isolate the effects of any one element of the Covid response. Some of this information about app use, vaccination and case trends is available through the PHS and Four Harms Dashboards, and formed the basis of the three-weekly review. We are in the process of developing data and operational insight and intelligence that will help us to address your questions and will give you further information as this work evolves.

2. While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested because the Scottish Government are not routinely leading analysis of this type. This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. However, you may wish to review the Public Health Scotland Website or contact Public Health Scotland directly at Phs.foi@nhs.net who may be able to help you.

3. As of midnight 13 November 2021 the NHS Covid Status App has been downloaded 1,571,575 times. It is important to note a single user may choose to download the App on multiple devices, so this figure does not represent unique individuals.

4. As number 2. I would like to apologise that your experience has not been at the level you expected or what the Scottish Government aim to provide, we have acknowledged the difficulty that some people have experienced and are fully aware of the inconvenience this has caused.

5. As number 2.

6. The impact assessment is outlined in the Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment: The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Requirements) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2021 (legislation.gov.uk).

7. In May 2021 National Services Scotland (NSS) appointed Netcompany to deliver a digital solution for Covid Status Certification in Scotland also known as the Covid Status App. The original contract amount was £600,000 but this has recently been increased to £1.2m (+ VAT) to accommodate wider scope of work. In November 2021 National Services Scotland (NSS) appointed Jumio to provide the identity verification element of the Covid Status App. This contract for a value of up to £3.3 million represents the total potential cost of ID verification, depending on use, not the actual amount spent. Actual spend on that contract is anticipated to be significantly lower and will be calculated at the end of the scheme.

I have attached a link to the update on the Covid vaccine certificates which was published on Friday 19 November 2021 Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine certification: evidence paper update (www.gov.scot).

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