Decision-making for pediatric vaccination scheduling under multiple constraints: a case study from China^✰

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Services Research
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Pediatric vaccination services are crucial but face challenges due to complex schedules and increasing demand.
• Public health systems struggle to balance routine immunizations with epidemic-related needs.
• Operational constraints like age eligibility and dose intervals complicate vaccination center management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a quantitative decision-support approach for pediatric vaccination scheduling.
• To optimize scheduling under real-world operational constraints.
• To develop balanced schedules for routine and outbreak-driven demand.

Main Methods:

• A quantitative decision-support approach was developed.
• The approach incorporates age eligibility, inter-dose intervals, and daily service capacity.
• Data from a Shenzhen, China vaccination center was used to apply the approach.

Main Results:

• The proposed approach significantly reduces day-to-day fluctuations in vaccination volume compared to unscheduled practices.
• Service delivery becomes more predictable, stabilizing daily workloads for efficient resource and staffing planning.
• Routine immunization services remain stable even during influenza outbreaks, ensuring capacity for emergencies.

Conclusions:

• Structured vaccination scheduling improves operational efficiency and resource management in public health centers.
• The approach enhances preparedness for epidemic outbreaks and ensures equitable access to pediatric immunization.
• Decision-support tools can strengthen public health systems' ability to manage complex vaccination demands.