Abstract

An effective vaccine prioritization process is essential to prevent the many issues that currently weaken global vaccination efforts. Identifying challenges associated with vaccine development is important when considering which initiatives will provide immunization that is effective, affordable, and easy to administer. The process of establishing priorities for vaccine development is complicated, though, by the conflicting interests of multiple stakeholders involved in the vaccine market. Additionally, uncertainties exist regarding: (1) the resources and time required for vaccine development, (2) the expected benefits of development, and (3) the anticipated demand for vaccination, further complicating the prioritization process. This study proposes a decision-support tool for prioritizing vaccine initiatives through the use of mathematical optimization models. The tool allows a panel of decision makers to assess vaccine candidates over multiple criteria with information that is both quantitative and qualitative. This assessment is the result of a methodology that integrates Data Envelopment Analysis and the Analytic Hierarchy Process. The decision-support tool could be used by researchers and funding agencies to determine which vaccine initiatives should be: more effective, affordable, profitable, reliable, easier to use and store, and more suitable to the needs of multiple populations from diverse locations and having multiple logistic needs.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Vaccination--Developing countries--Planning--Mathematical models; Multiple criteria decision making; Data envelopment analysis

Publication Date

8-19-2013

Document Type

Thesis

Department, Program, or Center

Industrial and Systems Engineering (KGCOE)

Advisor

Proaño, Rubén

Comments

Note: imported from RIT’s Digital Media Library running on DSpace to RIT Scholar Works in December 2013. Physical copy available from RIT's Wallace Library at RA638 .S36 2013

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Plan Codes

ISEE-MS

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