Design of a Vaccine Passport Validation System Using Blockchain-based Architecture: Development Study.

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Blockchain Technology
• Public Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for reliable vaccination verification.
• Current paper-based systems are susceptible to counterfeiting and lack global interoperability.
• A secure and universally accepted method for validating vaccination status is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design a blockchain-based vaccine passport (VP) validation system for international use.
• To leverage blockchain's decentralized nature for a cost-effective, secure, and verifiable system.
• To address the challenge of counterfeit vaccination documents.

Main Methods:

• Developed an open, anti-counterfeiting platform using blockchain decentralized mechanisms.
• Utilized Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resource (FHIR) standards for recording vaccination data.
• Implemented blockchain smart contracts for hierarchical management, authorization, and authentication.
• Employed a Proof-of-Authority (PoA) public chain for secure data access and management.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated a proof of concept for a global VP verification system.
• Achieved transparency and data accuracy through blockchain's open ledger.
• Ensured data protection via encryption/decryption and user-managed private keys.
• Successfully established an actual VP case with an international standard vaccination record.

Conclusions:

• Blockchain architecture provides a viable international VP authentication process.
• The system offers advantages including low cost, high interoperability, effectiveness, security, and verifiability.
• This approach can streamline vaccine transit management and facilitate international travel.