Optimizing vaccine distribution via mobile clinics: a case study on COVID-19 vaccine distribution to long-term care facilities

Abstract

Background People living in clustered communities with health comorbidities are highly vulnerable to COVID-19 infection. Rapid vaccination of vulnerable populations is critical to reducing fatalities and mitigating strain on healthcare systems. We present a case study on COVID-19 vaccine distribution via mobile vans to residents/staff of 47,907 long-term care facilities (LTCFs) across the United States that relied on algorithms to optimize vaccine distribution. Methods We developed a modeling framework for vaccine distribution to high-risk populations in a supply-constrained environment. Our framework decomposed this challenge as two separate problems: an assignment problem where we optimally mapped each LTCF to select CVS stores responsible for distributing vaccines; and a scheduling problem where we developed an algorithm to assign available resources efficiently. Results We assigned 1,214 retail stores as depots for vaccine distribution to LTCFs throughout the United States. Forty-one percent of matched depot-LTCF pairs were within 5 miles of a depot, 74% were within 20 miles, and only 8% mapped to depots farther than 50 miles away. Our two-step approach ensured that the first LTCF vaccination dose was distributed within 9 days after the program start date in 76% of states, and >90% of doses were administered in the minimum amount of time. Conclusions We demonstrate that algorithmic approaches are instrumental in maximizing vaccine distribution efficiency. Our learning and framework may be of use to other organizations, including communities where mobile clinics can be established to efficiently distribute vaccines and other healthcare resources in a variety of scenarios.

An Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organization model of service delivery: qualitative process evaluation of the Tulku wan Wininn mobile clinic

“…Support for the implementation of mobile clinics to maintain the delivery of health care to otherwise hard to reach communities (e.g., homeless persons) during the COVID-19 pandemic also gained traction in other settings, particularly within the United States [ 8 , 46 , 47 ]. Key functions of these clinics included providing telehealth services, community education about COVID-19, diverting people from hospitals, and distributing emergency food [ 46 ].…”

Impact of Social Deprivation on Hospitalization and Intensive Care Unit Admission among COVID-19 Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Given these findings, it is critically important to take measures to alleviate the identified burden on overwhelmed healthcare systems and reduce the social gradient during the COVID-19 pandemic. Providing at-home test kits and mobile clinics could improve equitable access to healthcare services, as transportation is often the major barrier to underserved populations ( 46 , 47 ). Furthermore, primary prevention to reduce incidence and prevalence of underlying comorbidities and prioritization of vulnerable populations for vaccinations also play an important role in mitigating strain on healthcare systems ( 48 , 49 ).…”

Applications of Social Media and Digital Technologies in COVID-19 Vaccination: Scoping Review

“…Blockchain combined with unmanned aerial vehicle communication networks can ensure transparency of the vaccine supply chain and mitigate security attacks [157,161]. Additionally, 11 studies [142][143][144][145][146][147][148][149][150][151][152] utilized algorithms, such as LSTM, machine learning regression, and artificial neural networks, to design optimal vaccine distribution strategies, monitor vaccine storage temperature, and address supply chain issues.…”