Government Reviews Data Security for Children's Vaccination Records
The Government of Sierra Leone has initiated a review of how children’s vaccination and personal records are collected, stored, and shared across digital platforms to safeguard sensitive health information.
The initiative was highlighted during a three-day national workshop organized by the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation (MoCTI), in collaboration with UNICEF Sierra Leone and the Centre for Digital Public Infrastructure (CDPI).
The event convened representatives from 16 government ministries to evaluate both the advantages and potential risks of integrating government digital systems containing children's data.
Discussions focused on four key areas: birth registration, vaccination records, education data, and social protection. Participants examined access controls, identifying which institutions should have permission to handle sensitive medical data and determining where potential security vulnerabilities could exist across health facility networks.
Delegates emphasized the necessity of embedding cybersecurity and privacy protections directly into system designs from the outset. While cross-system digital integration promises enhanced efficiency in delivering public services to children, officials warned that without robust safeguards, interconnected platforms could heighten the risk of data breaches.
To strengthen digital governance, Sierra Leone is leveraging the National Cybersecurity and Crime Act of 2021, which established the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre to respond to digital threats.
Additionally, MoCTI is currently developing a comprehensive Data Governance Framework to standardize data classification and security protocols, while collaborating with the Attorney General’s Office on a new Digital Government Bill incorporating child protection measures.
Complementing these legal and operational steps, the government has approved a National Data Protection Policy aimed at improving personal data handling and boosting public trust in digital public infrastructure.
Official representatives reiterated that these technical and legislative reviews remain central to modernizing national services while ensuring the fundamental privacy rights of children are fully protected.
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