More than half of Americans support vaccine passports for flying, large crowds: poll

More than half of Americans support requiring vaccine passports for proof to travel by airplane and attend events with large crowds, according to a Gallup poll released Friday.

The survey found that 57 percent of Americans would favor proof of vaccination for traveling by airplane, while 43 percent said they would oppose such a measure.

Fifty-five percent of respondents said they favored requiring vaccine passports for attending events that have large crowds — like sporting events or concerts — compared to 45 percent who said they were opposed.

However, 60 percent of those surveyed said they are opposed to requiring vaccine passports for dining in at a restaurant, and 55 percent opposed requiring proof of vaccination to go to work. Fifty-six percent opposed such proof for staying in a hotel.

The survey comes as the U.S. moves to return fully vaccinated Americans to normal life after more than a year of dealing with COVID-19 restrictions.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in early April that fully vaccinated people can safely travel but should still wear masks. The agency has also said it is safe for people to be outside without a mask, but in small groups.

The European Union is also allowing fully vaccinated North Americans to travel to the region.

Conservatives have railed against the concept of vaccine passports, arguing that such proof interferes with a personal choice of whether to get the vaccine. Several GOP-led states have moved to limit their use.

Gallup’s poll, for instance, found that no more than 28 percent of Republicans supported vaccine passports for any of the five activities asked.

The Iowa legislature has approved a bill limiting the use of vaccine passports, which Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) is likely to sign. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) have also issued orders barring vaccine passports.

The White House has said that the federal government would not get involved in mandating any sort of proof.

Gallup surveyed 3,731 adults aged 18 and older from April 19 to 25. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.