To recover after a lockdown and return to former life various ideas show up among scientists and politicians. The conception of immunity passport or ideas of other similar certificates are widely discussed and most likely will be a part of solution to control the spread of disease.
The general problem with the immunity passport idea is that no individual can be granted immunity for the future. The basis of a passport is highly depending on test performer, test type and their reliability. Huge number of tests taken at the present as well as massive antibody testing is planned in near future. Scientists are making all effort developing effective and safe vaccine, so the term of a passport already becomes important.
The World Health Organization has warned against issuing immunity passport as it poses considerable scientific, practical, equitable, and legal challenges which must be resolved.
Lithuanian company Lakameda, full-service solution provider for pharma industry, has developed the infrastructure for international use. Unique system is fully adapted for implementation of C19passport. Instead of just an idea Lakameda now launch the full C19passport system in Europe. Lithuania and Sweden are first during this summer and other countries will come soon after.
What is C19passport?
C19passport covers all essential thing for a dynamic system that works internationally. Only authorized institution can upload test result – that makes it trustworthy for everyone. Individual is in control of his result and it cannot be falsified or hacked. He chooses when and to whom to show a test result.
The security system of C19passport provides the individual and society the trust to allow result to be used as a proof and basis for specific group recommendations. Individuals with a registered test result could be exempt from physical restrictions and return to work, school, and daily life.
The system has a unique infrastructure. Institution or companies get authorization by Lakameda based upon public registers and control. On behalf of patient they upload test result and activate the card.
According to the Laura Beržinienė, director of Lakameda, data is irrevocable encrypted and only accessible in readable format by the individual - to check or prove status.
„From very beggining our focus is on the security. A system that gives benefits will be a target for falsification and cyberattacks. We have worked in all steps to secure and give trust to the system for the individuals who pays for the registration. The information in database contains only encrypted personal ID and the test results are impossible to read or show without C19safecard. By utilizing already known techniques we already this summer can roll out C19passport starting in Europe. Nations can easily present and change to more specific national recommendations based upon test results and present scientific knowledge”, - said Laura Beržinienė, the director of Lakameda.
The registration includes information needed for government to consider a recommendation for the individual that took the test. Any recommendations are related to the nation who did it.
What is C19safecard?
The physical product is a card. That card is just a key with verification features and codes to enter the database. Data registration is the basis of all system. Data storage is secured on highest level and will be stored 10 years after issuing.
To activate data, authorized institution must add institution label containing codes and safety features on the card and together with card code register results in the C19passport system. Information on the card can be scanned and read. Then institution register personal ID of individual who took test or a vaccine. These 3 components - personal ID, card code and institution code make the C19safecard and its data active.
When person enters his ID and card code to the webpage, he gets the general information. More information can be extracted by the individual entering additional code. In general, person logs in and gets information about tests he had been taken, its type, sensitivity, and accuracy. Also, in accordance on test results national recommendation for social behavior will be provided if nations chose to utilize this option.
Data is not accessible for public. It can only be accessed online by individual or other authorities with cardholder’s permission. Test and the result are fixed, but national recommendations may differ in time. When new scientific information about virus, tests, antibodies and immunity appears, it can change recommendations.
When logged in to the C19passport system, it will be possible to check latest other countries recommendations about test, test results or vaccination.
Benefits of the system
For government implementation of certificate that proves citizens risk of contracting coronavirus provides an opportunity to utilize already made test results and allows to save costs by avoiding additional test, centralize registration and outcome of tests and vaccines. While discussions are still ongoing of other systems here is the opportunity to get started and become a role model. Its dynamic and can be used in line with scientific knowledge. Government may open up borders for traveling faster and keep companies and institution running as well as manage quality and safety control for society.
Many coronavirus and antibody tests are bought for mass human testing, for government is important to have all tests results centralized in one place and based on results authorities can provide for citizens recommendation and precautions. There is space in the structure of Covid passport where government can give advices based up on the tests. This is big topic now, because some countries start to allow travelers coming into their territory if they can prove that they are not sick and hopefully, in near future, if they are considered immune.
Tests result is recorded. The information about tests result is updated every time by government for individual to check on the system.
The system is self-financed by the individuals, but it must be authorized by government on scientific basis. Also, authorities must give the practical outcome of massive testing to maximize opening of social life and economics earlier.
Healthcare institution and companies, especially smaller ones, get benefit of income possibility and being authorized as a proof of quality.
According to the fact that many tests are performed for Corona and antibodies, both results, negative and positive, have a value. Depending on what type of tests are taken all stakeholders can get benefit if the results are registered. C19passport system can register all tests in a way that can give everybody most benefits in the future.
No need to say more that for citizens is vital to have the tool to prove their status and feel safe being at work with family or travels based upon national recommendations.
„C19passport is also valid without national recommendations. It is optional, but if recommendations are given C19passport gives citizen more benefits. Possibly, if person takes test in one country that do not have recommendations - other nations may have them. Potentially, other nations might approve that test as an entrance to their country. The more countries involved giving recommendations and mutual recognition the more benefit citizens can have”, - said Laura Beržinienė.