A scoping review of global vaccine certificate solutions for COVID-19

ABSTRACT

Globally, measures, such as lockdown, quarantining, and physical distancing, have been implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19. As the vaccines are now available and reintegration into society is beginning, measures such as vaccine certificates are being implemented around the world. We conducted a scoping review to identify the initial digital solutions for COVID-19 vaccine certificates and evaluate them on the basis of purpose and use case, technological architecture, and ethical and legal implications. Articles identified from a Google search and a search of MEDLINE, Ovid and preprint servers were reviewed in duplicate, and data were extracted using a data extraction form. Data were extracted for date, location, type of article, source, companies identified for creating vaccine certificates, technology used, type of evidence provided (article quoting research study or an expert opinion), digital architecture, security and privacy measures, and use cases. Technology emerged as the most dominant theme followed by ethics, travel, legal concerns, public policy, and scientific concerns. Our review identified eight solutions that are working toward COVID-19 vaccine certificates world-wide, all optimizing blockchain technology. COVID-19 vaccine certificates are being considered in 11 countries and are in place in 5 others. Many issues concerning the themes we identified remain to be addressed to facilitate successful implementation.

KEYWORDS:

• Vaccine certificate
• immunization passport
• COVID-19
• digital vaccine certificate

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge our librarian, Risa Shorr at The Ottawa Hospital for conducting the academic search.

Contributors

ABB conducted the search. SSM, DZ and ABB conducted screening and data extraction.

SSM and ABB drafted and edited the paper.

KW conceptualized the project and provided expertise.

All authors reviewed and edited the manuscript.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest

Kumanan Wilson is the Chief Executive Officer of CANImmunize Inc.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed on the publisher’s website at https://doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2021.1969849

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research Operating grant, COVID-19 Rapid Research Funding Opportunity under [Grant Number: VR5-173210].