Iraq plans to issue a vaccine passport as proof of immunization against coronavirus for those wishing to travel abroad, the country’s health minister said on Sunday.

Health Minister Hassan Al Tamimi told the Iraqi News Agency that his ministry will begin compiling information on vaccinations next week.

Iraq launched its vaccination campaign last month after receiving shipments of the Sinopharm, Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca vaccines it had approved.

Many countries have started issuing vaccine passports or are considering it, and Bahrain became the first Gulf state to adopt the policy in February.

The arrival of the vaccines was greeted by a lukewarm response from the public in Iraq, many of whom have voiced fears for their health and safety.

In response, the government last week issued decrees making vaccination obligatory for certain groups, including government employees and medical workers at hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and laboratories.