Scoping analysis of leveraging IoT with blockchain for monitoring and ensuring efficacy of vaccine cold chains

Abstract

The recent pandemic has brought an unprecedented tangible effect on the adversaries of understanding the importance of Vaccines. Prior to this situation there were scenarios where the drip in Vaccine efficacy has affected the public health sector and even the Government's. Vaccination is the only assertive way of procuring immunization against such deadly pandemics. This study discusses such events which motivated the need of managing and monitoring the vaccine supply chain. The applications of IoT and Blockchain have been depicted and converged in this regard. Blockchain is the apparent solution to manage and monitor the vaccines effectiveness by delivering the same to the public health centers timely. Moreover, the counterfeit vaccines can also be identified. Internet of Things (IoT) has given a significant contribution in terms of fetching the real time readings in many applications. In our study temperature and moisture parameters are collected using Sensors in IoT and then the complete voyage of vaccine cold units will be monitored using Blockchain Transactions till it has been delivered. A framework is proposed on a Ethereum platform and consensus mechanism which will eventually avoid any possible alterations and counterfeiting of the deliverable Vaccine Units ensuring a safe transit which will be accessible and transparent even to the receiving patients, healthcare members along with the Governments body.