A Novel Structure of Blockchain Applied in Vaccine Quality Control: Double-Chain Structured Blockchain System for Vaccine Anticounterfeiting and Traceability

Abstract

Background. Vaccine, as an irreplaceable means in herd immunization, is widely applied in prevention for communicable diseases. However, adverse impacts were frequently incurred by fake or expired vaccines in China. Given the necessity of vaccine anticounterfeiting, blockchain-based transaction platform could be practiced as a solution in addressing the issue; however, most of the available experiments focused on single-chain structured design with inventible limitations. Accordingly, exploration for the effectiveness and feasibility of mixed-chains structured platform for vaccine anticounterfeiting and tracing is essentially required. Methods. Both public chain and private chainwere inserted in anticounterfeiting and tracing platform designing process, which were subsequentlysimulated in Ethereum environment. Results. By recording different information in public chain and private chain, partial information privacy protection requirements are realized. The transfer identification module realized the function of vaccine quality supervision and solves the problem of EPClabel replication. Discussion. Compared with the traditional single-structured design, completenessinformation could be visited by all stakeholders in double-chain structure, including vaccine suppliers, National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), vaccine purchasers, and the vaccinated. Conclusion. Double-chain structured system for vaccine anticounterfeiting and tracing is more effective.