Optimal strategy of vaccination and prevention measures in a SEQIRS pandemic model

Abstract

In this paper, we formulate and analyse an optimal control problem for a SEQIRS pandemic model describing the transmission dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic, given by a system of nonlinear differential equations. Optimal control strategies such as vaccination and preventive measures are adopted as control measures, to minimize the numbers of susceptible, exposed, and infected individuals. We prove the existence of optimal controls and characterization is established using Pontryagin’s maximum principle. Numerical simulations are performed to analyse the effectiveness of optimization strategies by comparing the results obtained.