NIH Awards Vibrent Health Contract to Create a New Paradigm for Pandemic Preparedness and Response

The National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Cancer Institute (NCI) has awarded Vibrent Health, a digital health technology company powering the future of precision health research, the second phase of a contract to validate COVID-CARE, a digital health solution for pandemic response. 

The web and mobile application will enable fast and accurate screening, automated test kit shipping, and contact tracing for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. Vibrent Health built the web-based and mobile application on its versatile Digital Health Solutions Platform, which also serves as the consumer-facing technology platform of the one-million person NIH All of Us Research Program.

COVID-CARE will be available to all people living in the U.S. and utilize easy-to-use applications. This screening tool will indicate if a test is medically needed, promoting better decision-making about what to do next, such as quarantining or seeking care. Precision screening through the tool reduces unnecessary tests by individuals who are not likely infected, saving costs associated with test kits, doctor’s visits and laboratory fees.

If a COVID-19 test is medically indicated, the app prompts shipping of an in-home test kit, delivered the same day to the person. The results from the test are available within 15 minutes. Faster testing allows individuals and their doctors to act more quickly to keep the individual safe and to help stop disease transmission.

In addition to screening and testing capabilities, COVID-CARE provides for accelerated contact tracing. Individuals who receive a positive test result can choose to use the app to discreetly notify close contacts, so that those persons can screen themselves using the app, determine if a test is medically indicated and take appropriate steps to help stop the spread of the virus.