Musician Eric Clapton says he will not perform at venues that require patrons to prove they have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

His comments came after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said proof of full vaccination would be required to gain entry to nightclubs and other venues in England from September.

Clapton's comments were the latest in a series of controversial COVID-related statements by the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, who has also teamed up with Van Morrison to release a song criticising lockdowns and the wearing of masks.

Here's what we know.

What is the proof of vaccination requirement?

This week the UK government lifted nearly all coronavirus restrictions in England.

Masks are no longer compulsory, work from home guidance has been scrapped, social distancing measures have been shelved and there are no limits on the number of people who can attend theatre performances or big events.

The government says the successful vaccination program has driven the lifting of restrictions.

To date, around 90 per cent of UK adults have received their first dose, and about 70 per cent are fully vaccinated, although the number of cases across the country has soared in recent weeks due to the Delta variant.

Authorities have flagged introducing legal requirements for mandatory proof of vaccination to gain entry to some venues from September, when most of the adult population is expected to be vaccinated.

To do this, residents in the UK will be able to use a digital certificate called the NHS COVID Pass which shows if they have received vaccine doses, a negative PCR test, or a positive PCR test within the previous six months.

What did Boris Johnson say?

Clapton's comments came in direct response to Mr Johnson's announcement that proof of vaccination would be required to enter nightclubs or other venues which hold large crowds.

"I should submit that by the end of September, when all over-18s will have had their chance to have been double jabbed, we are planning to make full vaccination the condition of entry to nightclubs and other venues where large crowds gather," Mr Johnson said.

What did Eric Clapton say?

Releasing a statement through London-based Italian architect and film producer Robin Monotti, an anti-vaccine activist, Clapton likened Mr Johnson's requirement to a form of discrimination.

"I wish to say that I will not perform on any stage where there is a discriminated audience present. Unless there is provision made for all people to attend, I reserve the right to cancel the show."

Clapton wrote to Monotti in May saying he had a "severe reaction" lasting 10 days after receiving his first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Clapton does not have any shows scheduled in the UK until mid-2022.

The 76-year-old has previously railed against the UK government's COVID-19 restriction measures, collaborating with Morrison in December last year for an anti-lockdown single called Stand and Deliver.

Has proof of vaccination been used elsewhere?

The idea of granting exemptions to restrictions has been used by governments across Europe and the United States.

The European Union has rolled out a vaccination passport to all 27 member nations (for those who have been fully vaccinated, recently had a negative test or have recently recovered from the virus), which allows holders to be exempt from testing or quarantine when travelling within the bloc.

In the US, sporting teams like the Miami Heat have opened designated sections for fully vaccinated fans, where social distancing requirements are relaxed, while rock legend Bruce Springsteen performed in New York to an audience that was required to prove full vaccination status.

Australian Tourism Minister Dan Tehan has floated the idea of vaccine passports to allow domestic travellers to avoid lockdowns.

Australian health authorities and political leaders have previously said high vaccination rates are key to a return to full normality.

Despite a small risk of blood clots, New South Wales Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant says the AstraZeneca vaccine is a safe and effective tool against COVID-19.

"The risks of AstraZeneca are infinitesimally small compared to the benefits. Can I just be very clear that we need to correct the mythology about AstraZeneca," Dr Chant said.

"And in the context of the Delta threat, I just cannot understand why people would not be taking the opportunity to go out and get AstraZeneca in droves."

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