A coalition of healthcare organizations and technology companies, including Microsoft and Oracle, is working on a project that checks who received the coronavirus vaccination and prevents others from making false claims.
Called the Vaccination Credential Initiative (VCI), the project aims to help people obtain encrypted digital copies of their immunization records stored in a digital wallet.
VCI says it is working to make accreditations using the SMART Health Cards specification, which is designed to allow people to store immunization or lab results in a digital wallet and could come in the form of a QR code for scanning for verification.
However, digital passports and paper credentials raise concerns among privacy groups who believe “until everyone has access to an effective vaccine, any system that requires a passport for entry or service will be unfair,” Privacy said. International.
“The vaccine is a public health exercise and should not be a new discriminator,” the group said on its website.
The group agrees that such records are “probably necessary”, but worries that it could “open a box of worms”.
“To what extent must this documentation be reliable for examination by other suppliers? And who else will want access? There things get more complicated. And that’s where the ambitions are, ‘says Privacy International.
The Vaccination Credential Initiative (VCI) aims to help people obtain encrypted digital copies of their immunization records stored in a digital wallet. The initiative is based on the CommonPass of the Commons Project Foundation (pictured)
VCI does not seem to look at its project as correct, but as a way to help society return to pre-pandemic life and do so safely.
The initiative is based on The Commons Project Foundation, which works on the Common Pass, which allows travelers to present vaccination results or coronavirus test results when flying and crossing borders in other countries.
Several airlines, including United Airlines and JetBlue, are currently testing CommonPass.
Paul Meyer, executive director of The Commons Project, said: “The purpose of the vaccination accreditation initiative is to empower people with digital access to their immunization records so that they can use tools such as CommonPass to return safely to travel.” at work, school and life, while protecting the confidentiality of their data. ‘
However, digital passports and paper credentials raise concerns among privacy groups who believe “until everyone has access to an effective vaccine, any system that requires a passport for entry or service will be unfair.
“Open standards and interoperability are at the heart of VCI’s efforts and we look forward to supporting the World Health Organization and other global stakeholders in implementing and scaling open global standards for health data interoperability.”
VCI includes big names in technology, such as Microsoft, Salesforce and Oracle, as well as the US Mayo Clinic for nonprofits.
Bill Patterson, executive vice president and CEO of enterprise software company Salesforce, said his company wants to help organizations customize all aspects of the vaccination management lifecycle and closely integrate with the offerings of other coalition members. it will help everyone get back to public life. ‘
Digital vaccination passports anticipate that airlines, stadiums, workplaces and other institutions may soon need proof of a jab before allowing entry
“With a unique platform to provide safe and continuous operations and build trust with customers and employees, this coalition will be crucial to supporting public health and well-being.”
The group says digital passports are vital for air travel and want to make checking a vaccine “as easy as online banking”.
However, people without smartphones would receive printed paper with QR codes containing the credentials.
In the United States, where Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been authorized for emergency use, vaccinated individuals receive a vaccination card or a hard copy.