Prioritizing Individuals Who Will Have Covid-19 Vaccine with Multi-Criteria Decision Making Methods

Abstract

This study aims to prioritize individuals in vaccination for the effective use of the COVID-19 vaccine, which has limited supply and does not seem possible to be supplied by all countries at the same time. In the study, multi-criteria decision-making methods (MCDM), which offer practical solutions to decision problems, were used considering the structure of the problem. First, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method was used to calculate the weights of the criteria. Then, the ranking of the priorities of the individuals was carried out with the PROMETHEE method. Here, the AHP and PROMETHEE methods are used in an integrated manner. It has been determined that the highest priority individual in vaccination is a healthcare worker with a high potential for transmission. In order of priority, the second individual was identified as workers. In this study, a hierarchical structure was created to prioritize individuals who will be vaccinated against COVID-19 and the problem was solved in two stages. A health policy proposal was made to health managers to use limited vaccine resources by prioritizing individuals effectively. In terms of efficient and effective use of resources during possible pandemic periods, the application process of the study provides an exemplary solution for decision-makers and contributes to the solution of similar decision problems encountered both in the literature and in real life. At the same time, offers solution for disasters that require effective use of limited resources, etc. The implementation process of the study may also be taken into account in exceptional circumstances.