The Role of Blockchain and IoT in COVID Vaccine Shipments

CIO Applications| Monday, June 21, 2021

The combination of blockchain and IoT has allowed logistics firms to better track items and shipment information. The IoT may provide a solution for logistics experts to detect and correct problems in the supply chain.

Fremont, CA: One of the most significant benefits of blockchain is that it enables all stakeholders in the supply chain network to record transactions at each stage of the product's (vaccine) shipping. This will prevent the distribution of counterfeit doses across the pharmaceutical supply chain. However, blockchain isn't enough; for a smooth transition, the technology must be combined with IoT.

Monitoring COVID-19 Logistics with Blockchain

Blockchain's decentralized ledger allows for close coordination between various parties, such as vaccine distributors, vaccination providers, and the general public who have yet to receive the vaccination. It ensures that the temperature is accurate and that the vaccine is kept at the correct temperature throughout the supply chain.

The technology offers a clear picture of the vaccine's cargo from manufacturing to distribution to avoid vaccine counterfeiting. It is more likely to happen quickly when the demand arises, and logistical services may become unreliable.

Strengthening Vaccine Cold Chain with IoT

During transport, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines must be kept in a temperature-controlled environment. If the temperature falls outside of the recommended range, the vaccination doses may deteriorate.

Here, IoT plays an important role. Its sensors are connected to the vaccine's container, and they track and provide a variety of shipping environment data, such as the needed temperature, vibration, humidity, and acceleration.

It informs healthcare practitioners and vaccine distributors about the container's temperature and assists them in identifying the problem when the temperature exceeds the safe storage range. Thus, the chance of damage will be reduced, and losses will be avoided.