A biometric-based vaccination management system for infants is set to be rolled out by the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) in partnership with Japan’s Nagasaki University.
The system, provided by the Japanese IT firm NEC, will manage vaccination history and scheduling using fingerprint identification for newborn children and voice recognition for caregivers.
“Since voice recognition can be performed almost instantaneously, this system can minimize the burden placed on caregivers. Medical institutions can also introduce voice recognition with little to no change to existing procedures,” NEC said on its website.
“Rather than using conventional fingerprint authentication methods to identify newborns, researchers developed a new method with which fingerprint pattern information is extracted from fingerprint images and a newborn child can be identified by combining fingerprint pattern data from multiple fingers.”
It will not only confirm the infants’ identities but also manage vaccination histories and schedules, thereby promoting the implementation of appropriate vaccinations for newborns and children during the first 24 months of life.
Validation of this system is taking place through KEMRI with a clinical trial that began in September 2022 at the Kinango Sub-County Hospital in Kwale County.
“We are excited that KEMRI together with its partners, is spearheading this landmark study that identifies newborns using a biometric and a vaccination management system that is not only in real-time, but is also expected to support policy and action towards the attainment of better health outcomes and Universal Health Coverage,” Prof. Sam Kariuki, Acting Director General, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) said.
“I express great expectations for this research to act as a guideline for precise vaccination management featuring newborn and caregiver identification to become an important contributor to Universal Health Coverage,” added Prof. Miriam Khamadi Were, Laureate, 1st Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize.
As of November 2022, data from more than 300 caregivers and newborns had been registered, including the vaccination histories of more than 150 newborns.
KEMRI intends to have the system rolled out countrywide by the end of 2023.
