IS THE COVID-19 VACCINATION CERTIFICATE A MEDICAL SECRET?

The certificate does not carry medical secrecy, but is a document confirming a certain fact – namely, the fact of vaccination.

Currently, there are general quarantine restrictions, but if you have a COVID-19 certificate, individuals have certain easing of such restrictions. To visit cinemas, shopping and entertainment centers, and restaurants, you must show a vaccination certificate.

Among residents of Ukraine, disputes have begun over whether the information about vaccination contained in Diia is a medical secret, or such information can be provided on demand.

Medical secrecy includes absolutely all aspects related to the patient’s health. A doctor, nurse, any other medical professional or other persons who, in connection with the implementation of their duties­ or official duties became aware of the disease, shall not have the right to disclose both medical and non-medical information about the state of health of a person.

There are special requirements for the processing of personal data about human health. Personal data of this nature may be the subject of collection and processing only if it is necessary to protect health, establish a medical diagnosis, provide care or treatment, or provide medical services, provided that such data is processed by a medical professional or other person of a health care institution who is responsible for ensuring the protection of personal data and who is subject to medical secrecy legislation.

The COVID-19 certificate has information about the person himself/herself, his/her photo and date of birth, and depending on the colour designation, you can find out about the number of doses of the vaccine that the person was vaccinated with.

The certificate does not carry medical secrecy, but is a document confirming a certain fact – namely, the fact of vaccination. There is no information about diseases or anything else that falls under the characteristics of medical secrecy.

In cases where visitors to establishments refuse to provide a certificate, the business entity has the right to refuse its services. Institutions must comply with the rules of operation during quarantine, approved by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 1236.

The norm on the availability of a vaccination document does not apply to visits to banks, gas stations, veterinary stores, pharmacies and all grocery stores at any level of epidemic safety.