Protecting Vaccine Safety: An Improved, Blockchain-Based, Storage-Efficient Scheme

Abstract

In recent years, the importance of ensuring vaccine safety has grown significantly due to frequent safety incidents. To tackle this issue, researchers have suggested using blockchain technology to secure the vaccine circulation process. However, blockchain faces challenges such as high storage requirements and low throughput, which limit its effectiveness in supply chain applications. To overcome these challenges, we propose an enhanced, storage-efficient blockchain-based scheme for vaccine safety protection.Our approach begins by modeling the vaccine circulation process. We then design a comprehensive system that integrates blockchain, cloud computing, and cryptographic techniques to secure the vaccine supply chain. The cloud component is used to manage the vaccine circulation model, while the blockchain stores data certificates and signatures to ensure the integrity and traceability of the vaccines. This integration leverages the strengths of each technology: the cloud provides scalable storage and processing power, while blockchain ensures the data's immutability and transparency. To validate our approach, we developed a conceptual model and tested it on a consortium blockchain. The experimental results demonstrate that our system is both efficient and effective in enhancing the security and reliability of the vaccine supply chain. Specifically, our system addresses the storage and throughput limitations of traditional blockchain technology by offloading data-intensive tasks to the cloud, which significantly reduces the blockchain's storage requirements. Furthermore, the use of cryptographic techniques ensures that all data stored in the blockchain is secure and tamper-proof. By employing advanced encryption methods, we can protect sensitive information and guarantee that only authorized parties can access and modify the data. This enhances the overall security of the vaccine supply chain and ensures that vaccines are safely circulated and monitored.

Our proposed solution also includes a robust data governance framework to specify and monitor data exchange and usage. This framework ensures that all stakeholders adhere to established protocols and regulations, which enhances trust and transparency in the vaccine supply chain. Additionally, our system provides real-time monitoring and reporting capabilities, allowing stakeholders to quickly identify and address any issues that may arise during the vaccine circulation process