Kerala: Vaccine tracing system gets CM’s award for innovation

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A blockchain powered vaccine traceability solution, Immunochain, developed by Kerala Blockchain Academy of Digital University Kerala has won a special award in chief minister’s award for innovation. Immunochain, the pilot phase of which was implemented in Thiruvananthapuram district with the assistance of eHealth Kerala, has been recognized with a special award for timeliness of the response and the spirit of innovation. The award comprises a cash prize of Rs 2.5 lakh.
Immunochain was developed in response to the Grand Challenges India initiative funded by the department of biotechnology under ministry of science and technology and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It addresses the problem of traceability of immunization vaccines from regional centres, through the distribution mechanisms in cold storage networks and the vaccine handling or administration facilities, till the end consumer.
Immunochain can also alert the health officials concerned and parents if a child misses a vaccination dose, thereby also helping reduce the scale of wastage of vaccines.
Immunochain project was one among the 270 proposals received by the department of biotechnology for the Grand Challenges India programme, titled ‘Immunization data: Innovating for Action (IDIA)’. It was shortlisted along with eight other proposals for pilot run in the first phase. Following its successful pilot run, Immunochain has also become one of the two projects selected by the ministry of science and technology for a national rollout.