Improving Vaccination Programs with Queueing Theory
Author Information
Author(s): Xie Sherrie, Rieders Maria, Changolkar Srisa, Bhattacharya Bhaswar B., Diaz Elvis W., Levy Michael Z., Castillo-Neyra Ricardo
Primary Institution: University of Pennsylvania
Hypothesis
Can integrating queueing theory into the placement of vaccination sites improve vaccine uptake?
Conclusion
Optimally placing mass vaccination sites by considering queueing can significantly reduce wait times and increase vaccination coverage.
Supporting Evidence
- Queue-conscious site placement reduced attrition by 9-32%.
- Vaccination coverage increased by 11-12% with optimized site placement.
- Queue-naïve algorithms resulted in higher attrition rates.
- Modeling queueing behavior improved vaccination outcomes even with imprecise parameters.
Takeaway
This study shows that if we think about how people wait in line for vaccinations, we can help more people get vaccinated faster.
Methodology
An algorithm was developed that combines queueing theory with spatial optimization to determine the best locations for vaccination sites.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in the model due to the assumption of constant arrival rates and the lack of consideration for socioeconomic factors.
Limitations
The study did not empirically estimate the parameters for queueing behavior and relied on hypothetical values.
Participant Demographics
The study focused on dog owners in Arequipa, Peru, but did not provide detailed demographic data.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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