Value of Inventory Information in Allocating a Limited Supply of Influenza Vaccine During a Pandemic

The authors describe using a population-based allocation model versus a model based on population plus inventory demand to simulate the value of information on vaccine inventory levels during an influenza pandemic. They find that the population plus inventory approach may reduce the attack rate, decrease the amount of unused vaccine, and maintain or increase the percentage of the population vaccinated, suggesting that greater visibility of the vaccine supply chain would be beneficial.