Reuters reported this week that two hospitals in England are using blockchain technology to track the storage and supply of COVID-19 vaccines. According to Reuters, this is one of the first such initiatives in the world.

The report stated that the hospitals are using a distributed ledger, a type of blockchain that uses independent computers, to share, replicate, and synchronize data in electronic ledgers in real time.

The hope is that the use of these blockchain systems will assist in monitoring the status of vaccines and keep track of vaccine shipments “from factory freezer to shots in the arm.”

Photo of Deborah George Deborah George

Deborah George is a member of Robinson+Cole’s Business Litigation Group as well as its Data Privacy + Cybersecurity Team. Ms. George advises clients on and focuses her practice on data privacy and security, cybersecurity, and compliance with related state and federal laws. She…

Deborah George is a member of Robinson+Cole’s Business Litigation Group as well as its Data Privacy + Cybersecurity Team. Ms. George advises clients on and focuses her practice on data privacy and security, cybersecurity, and compliance with related state and federal laws. She also has experience providing counsel in civil litigation and employment law matters. She has significant experience offering advice and counsel on legal issues related to human services agencies, including Medicaid, as well as drafting and reviewing contracts, business associate agreements, and data use agreements. Read her full rc.com bio here.