Around 1 in 10 of all adults (11%) across Great Britain report having been asked to show proof that they have either been vaccinated against coronavirus (COVID-19), or that they have recently tested negative, to be allowed into a venue or event, according to the Office for National Statistics.
It has been proposed in England and Scotland for people to be required to prove their COVID-19 status – sometimes known as “vaccine passports” – to be able to go to crowded indoor spaces, such as nightclubs, and large outdoor events.
Some large venues such as football stadia and music festivals have already been asking people to prove their COVID-19 status.
Data from the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (OPN) for 25 August to 5 September 2021 show that across Great Britain, sporting events were the places where most people had been asked to prove their coronavirus status.
A higher percentage of people aged between 16 and 29 years and between 30 and 49 years than other age groups reported being asked for proof of vaccination or a negative test. In both groups, 13% of adults said they had been requested to show their COVID-19 certification. Among those aged 70 years and over it was 7%.
This may be because a higher proportion of younger people reported leaving their homes during the survey period.
Of those aged 16 to 29 years, 11% said they left home over the previous seven days to go to a nightclub or concert, compared with 4% of adults overall.
Adults who reported needing proof were asked about access to events and venues in Great Britain, not when travelling or returning from abroad.
More people aged 16 to 49 years reported being asked for proof of COVID-19 status than older age groups
Adults, Great Britain, 25 August to 5 September 2021
More younger people reported being asked for proof than older people, but they are also less likely to be fully vaccinated
While a higher percentage of younger people reported having been asked to prove their vaccination status than older age groups, they are also less likely than the oldest age groups to have received both doses of a vaccine. This is because older people were prioritised during the vaccine rollout because of their greater risk of serious illness or death. Those aged 16 to 29 years are also the most “vaccine hesitant” age group.
In England, 82.5% of adults were estimated to have been fully vaccinated by the week ending 8 August 2021, compared with an estimated 79.4% in Wales and 78.8% in Scotland.
By age group, 25.5% of those aged 16 to 24 years in England, 21.9% in Wales and 21.3% in Scotland were estimated to have been fully vaccinated compared with more than 98% of those in the age groups 70 years and older. These estimates are based on a sample survey of reported vaccine status and are likely to be different from the daily official government figures, which provide the recorded actual numbers of vaccinations.
Sporting events and festivals were the most common places people reported being asked for proof
Percentage of adults who had been asked to prove COVID-19 vaccination or a recent negative test by venue, Great Britain, 25 August to 5 September 2021
