Algorand becomes the first to power a blockchain-based COVID ‘passport’ in Latin America
The world’s first blockchain-powered COVID passport has gone live in Colombia as part of a joint project between Algorand (ALGO) and Koibanx. The tool is capable of generating user-friendly, reliable, and simple experiences for patients and allows users to go from having a paper certificate to a digital certificate.
Why blockchain for tracking COVID?
Called VitalPass, the digital passport has been created to track Covid-19 vaccination through advanced blockchain technology from Algorand to guarantee security, traceability, and transparency during the vaccination process across Latin America.
“We are excited about the innovation coming out of Latin America, particularly when it comes to the ability to harness the power of efficient and advanced blockchain to quickly bring innovative solutions to life,” said W. Sean Ford, COO of Algorand.
He added, “It is exciting to see the expansion of Algorand’s ecosystem in South America and that several leading organizations were able to coalesce around an open and accessible infrastructure to deliver a mission-critical solution.”
Together, @davivienda, Auna and @koibanx announce the launch of a digital #COVID passport on Algorand! As the first digital health passport for COVID-19, VitalPass will leverage Algorand’s secure & accessible #blockchain for vaccine tracking in #LatAm 👉 https://t.co/SMccbv4CMt pic.twitter.com/ELR0MyxTeA
— Algorand (@Algorand) May 18, 2021
The product is the result of a quickly executed effort by La Casita Roja and Auna Ideas with the collaboration of partners such as the Cardioinfantil Clinic, based on the urgent need to track and confirm vaccinated citizens and patients with the utmost security. For this, they partnered with two leading organizations in the blockchain industry: Algorand and Koibax.
Beginning this month, the system will launch in hospitals in three main Colombian cities: Clínica las Américas in Medellín, Clínica PortoAzul in Barranquilla and Fundación Cardioinfantil in Bogotá.
Those vaccinated in the above facilities will receive a digital copy of their vaccination card which can be accessed simply from any internet-connected device. They will also have the validation of the IPS (“Instituto Prestador de Salud,” an accredited healthcare provider), which can be confirmed in real-time.
How does VitalPass work?
When a person visits a participating location for vaccination, an email address will be used to assign a username. The vaccinator will then complete a form with information about the person.
The certificates will be issued at the healthcare location and registered on the Algorand blockchain through a user interface designed by Koibanx. This system provides the person with a passport-like document linked to a vaccine verification on the blockchain. The details are accessed through a simple QR code.
Verification of the first dose will be shown in yellow on the certificate and the second dose will be shown in green.
About Algorand
Algorand is a proof-of-stake (PoS) blockchain that supports smart contracts. Its protocol uses Pure PoS, through which users are selected on a random and secret basis to propose blocks and vote on proposals.
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