Microsoft is part of a coalition to help people have access to digital immunization records
Microsoft and several other large organizations are working to improve digital access to immunization records.
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What you need to know
As COVID-19 vaccination efforts ramp up around the world, acoalition of health and technology organizationsannounced that it will help people have access to their vaccination records. The coalition is called the Vaccination Credential Initiative (VCI) and includes major organizations, including Microsoft, Oracle, and Salesforce (via Engadget).
The goal is to provide people with an encrypted digital copy of their immunization records that can be stored in a digital wallet. If a person does not have a smartphone, they should be able to print out a piece of paper with a QR code which has W3C verifiable credentials.
“As the world begins to recover from the pandemic, having electronic access to vaccination, testing, and other medical records will be vital to resuming travel and more,” says Mike Sicilia, executive vice president of Oracle’s Global Business Units. Sicilia adds, “This process needs to be as easy as online banking. We are committed to working collectively with the technology and medical communities, as well as global governments, to ensure people will have secure access to this information where and when they need it.”
VCI plans to work with open standards and to focus on interoperability, including tools like CommonPass and the interoperableSMART Health Cards specification.
Joan Harvey, president of care solutions atEvernorth, Cigna’s health services business states, “A secure, convenient solution to verify COVID-19 vaccination will play an important role in accelerating a healthy and safe return to work, school and life in general.”
The VCI has anew websitethat explains the purpose of the coalition along with other information.
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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
