February 9, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. – Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University presided over a meeting to discuss the development of the Immunization Information System and Blockchain-based Health Immunity Passport between Khon Kaen University and Medicense Intelligence Co. Ltd. Participants at the meeting were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kriengkrai Kitcharoen, Vice President for Human Resources; Assoc. Prof. Apichat Jirawutthipong, M.D., Dean of the Faculty of Medicine; Assoc. Prof. Cholathip Pongsakul, M.D., Assistant to the Dean for the Excellence Center and the Center for Community Health Service; Assoc. Prof. Nesinee Chai-ia, M.D., Head of Office of Occupational Health and Safety; Doctor Thanapop Na Nakhonpanom, a Health Information Officer; from Faculty of Medicine; and Doctor Dechowat Promda, General Manager of Medicense Intelligence Co. Ltd. And Mr. Methat Kaewsaikhaw, Chairman of Technology Administration Section of Medicense Intelligence Co. Ltd. The meeting was held at the Meeting Room on the 6th Floor of Sirikunakorn Building, Khon Kaen University.
The meeting was aimed at exchanging the plans for development of immunization and immunity health passport based on the Blockchain technology. The collaboration plans between the two parties concerned were also discussed, with expectation to enter an MOU together.
Doctor Thanapop Na Nakhonpanom, a Health Information Officer; from Faculty of Medicine explained that the immunization information system is a digital system to be developed for KKU staff members. The system will record, store, and check the information related to vaccination. This will benefit both the person immunized and the service provider. The key operating functions are as follows:
1) The system stores and records the immunization information and access is viable to both the person receiving vaccine and the service provider.
2) The system analyzes the type of vaccine necessary for each individual by considering the information of the vaccinated person, such as the vaccine necessary for the health professionals that risk touching the secretion and may contract an infectious disease, warning about the time to receive vaccine, and the date and time for the next vaccination.
3) The system for issuing a vaccination certificate
4) The following-up system for any unwanted happening after vaccination
5) Providing knowledge about vaccine such as risk and advantages from vaccination
The immunization information system will be developed based on the guidelines of the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, European Union, and on the W3C Verifiable Credential standard
Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University believes that the operation of the Immunization Information System and Blockchain-based Health Immunity Passport will be connected to the economic system and tourism, as well as the opening of the country after Covid-19, which also leads to expedition of this project.
“The private sector announces that vaccine must be a national agendum. We cannot open the country without immunization passport. Therefore, Covid-19 plays its part in speeding up our work. In this project implementation, the Faculty of Medicine of Khon Kaen University will be the key responsible institution. A working group has been assigned with the Vice President for Human Resources being the consultant. The next step will be the signing of the MOU.”
The plan for development of the immunization information system will be divided into 2 phases. The first phase is the development of the system for the health professionals of Khon Kaen University. The second phase will cover all staff members of the University. When completed, the outcomes can be extended for use among students and the public.
News / Photos: Rawiporn Saisaenthong, Natthapong Chanan-ua
