Applying Lessons Learned From The COVID-19 Vaccine
Open Access
- Author:
- Huang, Peiqi
- Area of Honors:
- Supply Chain and Information Systems
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Robert Alexander Novack, Thesis Supervisor
John C Spychalski, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- Vaccine Supply Chain
Influenza Vaccine
COVID-19 Vaccine
Vaccine Distribution - Abstract:
- Since the discovery of the Covid-19 virus, the development and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine has been a global priority. After interviewing professionals in the industry, a clear picture of the COVID-19 vaccines has developed. Measures that can help speed people's access to a COVID-19 vaccine are presented by comparing supply chains and distribution strategies for influenza (flu) vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines thereby helping the future vaccine supply chain face to adapt to new emergencies. Flu vaccines are produced by private manufacturers. Their production mostly relies on egg-based methods, with a five-to-eight-month production time, and manufacturers often start producing vaccines in January through "at-risk early production." During transportation, flu vaccines are carefully transported in insulated containers with cold packs and heavy wrapping paper to maintain refrigerated temperatures. The COVID-19 vaccine is more sensitive to temperature changes and requires more careful handling. The COVID-19 vaccine faced supply chain constraints initially, but the pro rata formula was used to distribute limited vaccines equally based on population. In the early pandemic, states decided opened mass vaccination centers, and vaccines were shipped through UPS and FedEx. Once supply reached full capacity, vaccines were expected to be delivered from manufacturers every fifteen days. Over time, as demand is less than supply and each state has different problems. For example, there is not enough space to store the COVID-19 vaccine, and the funds are not enough to re-distribute. Distributors have to make changes to the distribution according to the situation. Overall, manufacturing and distribution challenges were faced due to the unprecedented speed and scale of vaccine production, but strategies were developed to ensure equitable distribution and on-time delivery. This can be implicated for future supply chains and help improve vaccine distribution.