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Optimizing vaccine distribution networks in low and middle-income countries

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  • Yang, Yuwen
  • Bidkhori, Hoda
  • Rajgopal, Jayant

Abstract

Vaccination has been proven to be the most effective method to prevent infectious diseases. However, there are still millions of children in low and middle-income countries who are not covered by routine vaccines and remain at risk. The World Health Organization – Expanded Programme on Immunization (WHO-EPI) was designed to provide universal childhood vaccine access for children across the world and in this work, we address the design of the distribution network for WHO-EPI vaccines. In particular, we formulate the network design problem as a mixed integer program (MIP) and present a new algorithm for typical problems that are too large to be solved using commercial MIP software. We test the algorithm using data derived from four different countries in sub-Saharan Africa and show that the algorithm is able to obtain high-quality solutions for even the largest problems within a few minutes.

Suggested Citation

  • Yang, Yuwen & Bidkhori, Hoda & Rajgopal, Jayant, 2021. "Optimizing vaccine distribution networks in low and middle-income countries," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jomega:v:99:y:2021:i:c:s0305048319307236
    DOI: 10.1016/j.omega.2020.102197
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    5. Tang, Lianhua & Li, Yantong & Bai, Danyu & Liu, Tao & Coelho, Leandro C., 2022. "Bi-objective optimization for a multi-period COVID-19 vaccination planning problem," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).
    6. Fadaki, Masih & Abareshi, Ahmad & Far, Shaghayegh Maleki & Lee, Paul Tae-Woo, 2022. "Multi-period vaccine allocation model in a pandemic: A case study of COVID-19 in Australia," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    7. Rey, David & Hammad, Ahmed W. & Saberi, Meead, 2023. "Vaccine allocation policy optimization and budget sharing mechanism using reinforcement learning," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    8. Vahdani, Behnam & Mohammadi, Mehrdad & Thevenin, Simon & Gendreau, Michel & Dolgui, Alexandre & Meyer, Patrick, 2023. "Fair-split distribution of multi-dose vaccines with prioritized age groups and dynamic demand: The case study of COVID-19," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 310(3), pages 1249-1272.
    9. Kochakkashani, Farid & Kayvanfar, Vahid & Haji, Alireza, 2023. "Supply chain planning of vaccine and pharmaceutical clusters under uncertainty: The case of COVID-19," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 87(PB).
    10. Gilani, Hani & Sahebi, Hadi, 2022. "A data-driven robust optimization model by cutting hyperplanes on vaccine access uncertainty in COVID-19 vaccine supply chain," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).
    11. Eugenia Ama Andoh & Hao Yu, 2023. "A two-stage decision-support approach for improving sustainable last-mile cold chain logistics operations of COVID-19 vaccines," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 328(1), pages 75-105, September.
    12. Jahani, Hamed & Abbasi, Babak & Sheu, Jiuh-Biing & Klibi, Walid, 2024. "Supply chain network design with financial considerations: A comprehensive review," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 312(3), pages 799-839.
    13. Yuwen Yang & Jayant Rajgopal, 2021. "Outreach Strategies for Vaccine Distribution: A Multi-period Stochastic Modeling Approach," SN Operations Research Forum, Springer, vol. 2(2), pages 1-26, June.
    14. Yang, Manyi & Qu, Shaojian & Ji, Ying & Peng, Zhisheng, 2025. "Risk management of the vaccine supply chain: Interactions of risk factors and control strategies," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    15. Fariba Goodarzian & Ali Navaei & Behdad Ehsani & Peiman Ghasemi & Jesús Muñuzuri, 2023. "Designing an integrated responsive-green-cold vaccine supply chain network using Internet-of-Things: artificial intelligence-based solutions," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 328(1), pages 531-575, September.
    16. Pamela Bakkabulindi & Solomon T Wafula & Anthony Ssebagereka & Rogers Sekibira & Aloysius Mutebi & Jimmy Ameny & Christabel Abewe & John Bosco Isunju, 2024. "Improving the last mile delivery of vaccines through an informed push model: Experiences, opportunities and costs based on an implementation study in a rural district in Uganda," PLOS Global Public Health, Public Library of Science, vol. 4(10), pages 1-22, October.
    17. Shaker Ardakani, Elham & Gilani Larimi, Niloofar & Oveysi Nejad, Maryam & Madani Hosseini, Mahsa & Zargoush, Manaf, 2023. "A resilient, robust transformation of healthcare systems to cope with COVID-19 through alternative resources," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).

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