Skin Implant Microchip COVID-19 Passport the Size of a Rice Grain Can Be Used As Vaccine Tracker

Swedish start-up Epicenter introduced microchip technology to easily and accessibly store a person's COVID-19 vaccine passport under the first layer of the skin, according to a viral video from the South China Post.

Why Use COVID-19 Passport

Epicenter, a Stockholm-based company, has been working on human-compatible technology for years. The firm just showcased a new technology that stores one's COVID-19 vaccination status using a microchip.

Swedish Association of Biohackers founder Hannes Sjoblad demonstrated how Epicenter's grain-sized microchips had been adapted as a COVID-19 passport by implanting it under a person's skin, either in the arms or between the forefinger and thumb.

Epicenter created an NCF-enabled microchip for a COVID-19 passport for a reason.

"Implants are very versatile technology that can be used for many different things," Sjoblad explained.

He also added that it is very convenient to have one's COVID-19 passport always accessible on the implant. The chip can be read using near-field communication (NFC).

What are Near-Infrared Communications (NFCs)?

NFC chips, according to STMicroelectronics, are silicon components of Integrated Circuits used in a wide variety of ways depending on their targeted application. When NFCs are connected to the right antenna, it allows short-range wireless communication between devices.

It provides an additional security layer as only devices within close proximity of each other can communicate via NFC.

NFCs allow contactless communications between two electronic devices, a smartphone and consumer, payment card and terminal.

The system works using two parts: an NFC reader chip and a tag. The NFC reader chip "reads" the information and "triggers" a specific response. It provides and sends power and NFC commands to the systems' passive part-the NFC tag.

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Sweden's NFC Vaccine Stickers

In June, the Swedish government announced that the country's residents could store digital certificates of their COVID-19 vaccination on their mobile phones via NFC sticker.

Anders Ygeman, Minister for Digital Development of Sweden, said in a press conference that they now have a versatile, simple, and safe model for its residents. He adds that he expects travel companies and countries will require internationally valid proof of vaccination statuses in the near future.

In the press conference, it was explained that residents could also use the certificates to access certain services and events in Sweden. However, provisions should be made to ensure that there would be no discrimination against those who are not vaccinated. Sweden's NFC stickers would be accessible via digital identification and could even be saved on people's smartphones or digital wallets. Also, it can be sent via regular mail as a paper document or NFC sticker attached to the owner's passport.

An encryption key is attached to enable easy verification of authenticity at the country's border controls, reports NFCW.

With today's technological advancements NFC are only the latest way of safely, securely, and easily transferring data. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, contactless engagements with the general public are the best way to reduce the risks of contracting the virus, and NFCs support this.