For a long time, the yellow vaccination book in Germany was considered the only (internationally recognized) way to prove the vaccination status of the population. However, with overall COVID vaccination rates increasing during a still ongoing pandemic, this proved to be difficult. Especially in situations where many people need to be checked in a relatively short time, such as at the airport or stadium entrance. The solution: a digital supplement, the development of which was put out to tender by the Federal Ministry of Health in early 2021.
Collaboration background
The digital vaccination certificate for Germany was developed by IBM with the Cologne-based start-up UBIRCH developed. Contact between UBIRCH and IBM was established early on when UBIRCH became a member of InsurLab Germany. Initially, there was an initial exchange between the two on various scenarios with use cases in the insurance environment. However, the partnership then very quickly and suddenly became concrete due to the topic of vaccination certificates - it was helpful that contacts and the basis for cooperation already existed via InsurLab Germany.
Short Summary
Founded in 2018, UBIRCH is a specialist for blockchain-based cybersecurity technologies with offices in Cologne, Berlin, Munich and Tel Aviv. The team consists of experienced specialists in cryptography, blockchain and data-driven business models. The UBIRCH technology can also be applied as software to SIM cards and is primarily aimed at customers in the fields of industry, smart cities, insurance, healthcare, energy supply and logistics. Innovative cryptography and blockchain technologies guarantee the trustworthiness of the data.
For the digital vaccination certificate, the collaboration between IBM and UBIRCH has brought together the particular strengths of both companies. UBIRCH developed the Vaccination Certificate Service, which enables vaccination centers, doctors' offices, pharmacies and public health departments to issue a tamper-proof EU digital COVID certificate for Corona vaccination or recovery from Corona infection. Two apps were developed by IBM: the vaccination proof app (CovPass) for display and, as a counterpart, the checking app (CovPassCheck) that can verify this status in a privacy-compliant manner. Both partners had a part in the solution: UBIRCH brought the experience from the solution to digital COVID test certificates at airports, IBM has experience with applications and apps in healthcare, especially for the electronic patient record.
Special award for high social relevance
The collaboration between the two InsurLab members IBM and UBIRCH is not only a prime example of cooperation between a technology provider and a start-up, but also has great social significance in the context of pandemic control. The expert jury of the InsurLab Germany Collaboration Champion Competition 2021 also saw it that way and gave UBIRCH and IBM a special award.
"The development of the digital proof of vaccination was characterized by speed, data protection and security as well as absolute professionalism. [...] The constructive collaboration was 'state of the art' for cooperation between a large corporation and a start-up."
Stephan Noller, Co-Founder & CEO UBIRCH
"We wanted the citizens of Germany to be able to receive and use the digital vaccination certificate before the summer break - and together with UBIRCH we have achieved this. A great result of our collaboration!"
Ronald Fritz, Partner at IBM Consulting