Simulation and optimization modeling for drive-through mass vaccination – A generalized approach

Abstract

Proper planning and execution of mass vaccination at the onset of a pandemic outbreak is important for local health departments. Mass vaccination clinics are required to be setup and run for naturally occurring pandemic outbreaks or even in response to terrorist attacks, e.g., anthrax attack. Walk-in clinics have often been used to administer vaccines. When a large percentage of a population must be vaccinated to mitigate the ill-effects of an attack or pandemic, drive-through clinics appear to be more effective because a much higher throughput can be achieved when compared to walk-in clinics. There are other benefits as well. For example, the spread of the disease can be minimized because infected patients are not exposed to uninfected patients. This research extends the simulation modeling work that was done for a mass vaccination drive-through clinic in the city of Louisville in November 2009. This clinic is the largest clinic set up in Louisville with more than 19,000 patients served, over two-thirds via ten drive-through lanes. The intent of the model in this paper is to illustrate a general tool that can be customized for a community of any size. The simulation-optimization tool will allow decision makers to investigate several interacting control variables in a simultaneous fashion; any of several criterion models in which various performance measures are either optimized or constrained, can be investigated. The model helps the decision maker determine the required number of Points of Dispense (POD) lanes, number and length of the lanes for consent hand outs and fill in, staff needed at the consent handout stations and PODs, and average user waiting time in the system.

A Drive-through Simulation Tool for Mass Vaccination during COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The model can be expanded to include vaccine supply issues and their impacts on the model outputs. (5) In this simulation we did not focus on different transportation vehicle types such as bicycles, motorcycles, public transit, etc. Our assumption was that to prevent infection, large occupancy public transit vehicles and minibuses are not used for drive-through vaccination, however, one can allocate certain lines to bikes, motorcycles, and taxis.…”

Drive-Through Model for Anticoagulation Clinics During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Our goal was to reduce patient exposure to a high-risk setting like the hospital while meeting their needs for being managed by the anticoagulation clinic. Considering previous successful experiences with drive-through vaccination clinics, 3 we designed a drive-through POC anticoagulation clinic which was successfully executed within less than 2 weeks of announcement of the COVID-19 as a pandemic. By the end of the first month from clinic implementation, all clinic patients were notified and screened for their appointments and close to 2600 INR testing visits with an average of 90 patients per day were performed.…”

“…While the evidence suggests that the frequency and intensity of these pandemics are increasing, most recent H1N1 and Ebola outbreaks taught us that "The world is ill prepared to respond to a severe influenza pandemic or to any similar global, sustained and threatening public health emergency." [1][2][3][4] Thus, to minimize the number of people affected by a disaster, the response by the public health agencies must be fast and efficient. 3 The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2).…”

“…[1][2][3][4] Thus, to minimize the number of people affected by a disaster, the response by the public health agencies must be fast and efficient. 3 The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2). Given the rapid spread of this virus with consequences on an international scale, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the novel COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic on March 11th 2020.…”

“…Pandemics greatly increase morbidity and mortality over a wide geographic area and cause significant economic, social, and political disruption. While the evidence suggests that the frequency and intensity of these pandemics are increasing, most recent H1N1 and Ebola outbreaks taught us that “The world is ill prepared to respond to a severe influenza pandemic or to any similar global, sustained and threatening public health emergency.” 1 – 4 Thus, to minimize the number of people affected by a disaster, the response by the public health agencies must be fast and efficient. 3 …”