Image:”‘Refugee rights not racism’ placard – Refugee vigil Broadmeadows” by John Englart (Takver) is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Talks of a potential “COVID Passport” means good news for international travellers, but could further disadvantage refugees and asylum seekers being kept in detention centres.

The Government announced the vaccine will be free of charge and readily available for all Australian citizens and permanent residents, as well as those who hold a current visa.

Concerns have been raised about how easily accessible the vaccine will be for those in detention centres, as well as those living in Australia “undocumented” and without a valid visa.

Inaccessibility to the vaccine for refugees and asylum seekers is one more disadvantage those in detention centres face during the pandemic.

Produced By: Elizabeth Neil

Featured In Story: Geoff Culbert – CEO, Sydney Airport, and Dr Claire Loughnan – Lecturer in Criminology and Social and Political Sciences, University of Melbourne

First aired on The Wire, Friday, 26 February 2021