Hospitals are using Distributed Ledger in the vaccine rollout

3AI January 24, 2021

Two British hospitals are using a distributed ledger to track the cold storage of sensitive COVID-19 vaccines

The mass campaign to inoculate millions against COVID-19 was always going to be a monumental challenge. The fact that some vaccines are rendered useless if not kept at ultralow temperatures only complicates matters.

The U.K.’s National Health Service, or NHS, has turned to using blockchain technology to aid the rollout of vaccines, using the system that underpins cryptocurrencies like bitcoin BTCUSD, 1.35% and ether ETHUSD, -0.45% to monitor the supply and cold storage of shots at two hospitals.

Of the three COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in the U.K., the one developed by U.S. drug company Pfizer PFE, -0.05% and its German partner BioNTech 22UA, +2.08% must be kept at temperatures of -70 degrees Celsius (-94 degrees Fahrenheit). That is colder than winter days in Antarctica.

The vaccine developed by U.K.-Swedish drug company AstraZeneca AZN, +0.07% and the University of Oxford can be kept at normal refrigerator temperatures, while the jab from biotech Moderna MRNA, +6.26% must be kept at -20 degrees Celsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit).

Once thawed, but still refrigerated, the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine is only good for another five days at 2-8 degrees Celsius.

This raises the stakes for efficient logistics when the U.K. is rapidly accelerating its vaccine rollout: more than 4 million people have received the first of two doses, and the government aims to vaccinate 80% of all people over 50 years old and all clinically vulnerable adults by early May.

Two hospitals, in Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick in central England, are working with Hedera Hashgraph and Everyware to ensure the vitality of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine using blockchain technology — breaking new ground and paving the way for a wider rollout across the NHS.

Hedera Hashgraph provides blockchain networks. The company is backed by companies including plane manufacturer Boeing BA, -1.91%, and technology companies IBM IBM, +1.21%, LG Electronics 066570, -3.51% and Google, owned by Alphabet GOOGL, +0.22%. Everyware is an asset and equipment monitor.

With Everyware’s sensors and Hedera’s blockchain system, the NHS is using a distributed ledger, which is an offshoot of blockchain technology, to accurately track the cold-storage equipment holding the vaccines.

A distributed ledger is a decentralized and synchronized digital system for sharing data, and is largely immune to problems introduced into tracking systems by human error.

Cryptocurrencies like bitcoin use blockchain’s decentralized public ledger to record encrypted transactions. Hospitals can use the same technology to track sensitive medical assets with unique storage requirements.

Everyware already provides tracking services for chemotherapy drugs, blood, and plasma.

“Monitoring the ongoing temperature of these refrigeration units is critically important, and ensuring the integrity of that data is an equally important part of maintaining trust in the results, and being able to easily share them across the entire vaccine supply chain,” said Tom Screen, Everyware’s technical director.

“Hedera’s distributed ledger technology provides that tamper-proof record-keeping system, making it perfect for recording and validating results efficiently and cost-effectively,” Screen said.

Picture from freepik.com

IIT Delhi Offers Free Online Course on AI

IIT Delhi is offering a free online 12-week programme on Artificial Intelligence with a certificate on completion. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi is inviting registrations from those who would like to enrol for a 12-week long free online course on Artificial Intelligence. This programme will be offered on the National Programme on Technology Enhanced […]

Barco unveiled its largest global Centre of Excellence for software innovation and R&D in India

Professional visualisation and collaboration technology leader Barco on Wednesday unveiled its largest global Centre of Excellence for software innovation and R&D in India. In keeping with the hybrid workplace model, the new facility in Noida is designed to enhance productivity and features a common lab area offering flexibility for expansion or addition of new labs. […]

Reimagine Business Strategy & Operating Models with AI : The CXO’s Playbook

Author: Sameer Dhanrajani, CEO at AIQRATE advisory & consulting | AI advisor, business builder | Author | Speaker |Columnist| President at 3AI | Ex-CSO: Fractal, Global Business Leader: Cognizant, Country Head: Fidelity National Financial AlphaGo caused a stir by defeating 18-time world champion Lee Sedol in Go, a game thought to be impenetrable by AI […]

Embedding Data Quality in Data Strategy & Design for AI

Featured Article: Author: Prabhu Chandrasekaran AI has been there over a decade, and with Gen AI touching newer frontiers and pushing the envelope across boundaries irrespective of industries and part of the society, One thing that is clearly emerging world is not the same and – “Data” is not mere oil but a “Strategic Asset”. […]

India's largest platform and marketplace for GCC & AI leaders and professionals

3AI Digital Library