@article{c0e685832da24251b983e70103ad8572,
title = "Customizing immunization clinic operations to minimize open vial waste",
abstract = "Many multi-dose vaccine vials must be used within hours of reconstitution; unused doses are discarded as {"}open vial waste.{"} Building on Mofrad et al. (2014), we evaluate operating strategies that maximize coverage by controlling open vial waste. We define novel metrics for determining thresholds on vaccination clinic operating hours and session frequency. We study the performance of optimal and heuristic policies in the presence of random vial yield. Cost analyses indicate significant potential savings. Because optimal strategies are context specific, we also develop a decision support tool (available online) to easily replicate the analysis for any problem setting.",
keywords = "Multi-dose vial, Open vial waste, Vaccine administration policy, Vaccine coverage",
author = "Mofrad, {Maryam H.} and Garcia, {Gian Gabriel P.} and Maillart, {Lisa M.} and Norman, {Bryan A.} and Jayant Rajgopal",
note = "Funding Information: This work has been supported by National Science Foundation Grant No. CMMI-1131172 . Funding Information: Bryan A. Norman is an Associate Professor of Industrial Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Norman's primary research interests include process and operations improvement through the modeling and analysis of logistics systems. His research focuses on the modeling and analysis of the vaccine cold chain and vaccine supply chain network design; operational challenges in healthcare including patient flow, material supply, and staffing; and facility and material handling system design and operation in manufacturing, service, and healthcare environments. His recent funding support includes NSF, the Veterans Administration, and the Gates Foundation. He is a member of INFORMS and IIE. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2015 Elsevier Ltd.",
year = "2016",
month = jun,
day = "1",
doi = "10.1016/j.seps.2015.10.007",
language = "English",
volume = "54",
pages = "1--17",
journal = "Socio-Economic Planning Sciences",
issn = "0038-0121",
}