Abstract
The underserved population could be at risk during the times of crisis, unless there is strong involvement from government agencies such as local and state Health departments and federal Center for Disease Control (CDC). The COVID-19 pandemic was a crisis of different proportion, creating a different type of burden on government agencies. Vulnerable communities including the elderly populations and communities of color have been especially hard hit by this pandemic. This forced these agencies to change their strategies and supply chains to support all populations receiving therapeutics. The National Science Foundation [National Science Foundation (NSF) Award Abstract # 2028612] funded RAID Labs to help federal agencies with strategies. This paper is based on a NSF funded grant to work on investigating supply chain strategies that would minimize the impact on underserved populations during pandemic. This NSF funded study identified the phenomena of last mile importance. The last mile transportation concept was critical in saving lives during the pandemic for underserved populations. The supply chain model then maximizes social goods by sending drugs or vaccines to the communities that need it the most regardless of ability to pay. The outcome of this study helped us prioritize the communities that need the vaccines the most. This informs our supply chain model to shift resources to these areas showing the value in real time prioritization of the COVID-19 supply chain. This paper provides information can be used in our healthcare supply chain model to ensure timely delivery of vaccines and supplies to COVID-19 patients that are the most vulnerable and hence the overall impact of COVID-19 can be minimized. The use of electrical vehicles for last mile transportation can help in significantly fighting the climate change.
Highlights
The understanding of supply chain and transportation in recent times has brought life and death to underserved communities in the US and other countries like India, United Kingdom, etc
The COVID-19 pandemic was a crisis of different proportion, creating a different type of burden on government agencies
At the time of data collection, we were in phase I of COVID-19 vaccine distribution where demand was far higher than the supply of vaccines; we considered the elderly population and healthcare workers as the actual demand, which is 20% of the total population as per the collected data
Summary
The understanding of supply chain and transportation in recent times has brought life and death to underserved communities in the US and other countries like India, United Kingdom, etc. Inequities in the social determinants of health have historically prevented these groups from having the same opportunities for economic, physical, and emotional health These inequities are highlighted by the factors that contribute to increased risk of COVID-19 exposure, severe illness from COVID-19, death, and unintended consequences of COVID-19 mitigation strategies (CDC 2020). The difference between a standard vaccine supply chain and a pandemic vaccine is that, previously healthcare and other vaccine providers were to purchase vaccines directly from the manufacturers For government agencies, they are more susceptible to buy the vaccines directly from the manufacturer in order to ensure an early vaccination delivery.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
