Transforming the vaccine supply chain in Australia: Opportunities and challenges.

BACKGROUND: Analyzing potential benefits of thermostable vaccines delivered through Micro Array Patch (MAP) has received great attention in low and middle-income countries. The experience may or may not be the same in developed countries where the infrastructure is more developed. It is anticipated that transforming the vaccine supply chain from syringe-and-needle to thermostable MAP-delivered vaccines will result in reduced supply chain costs - including manufacturing/supply, logistics/distribution, and administration costs - as well as reduced wastes and improved safety. This paper provides an end-to-end supply chain analysis comparing the key aspects (cost, safety and environmental aspects) of the conventional syringe-and-needle vaccine supply chain with those of the MAP vaccine supply chain for influenza vaccine delivery in Australia. Directions for future research in this area will be provided. OBJECTIVE: To determine the potential supply chain impacts of replacing syringe-and-needle flu vaccine with MAP-enabled thermostable flu vaccine in Australia. METHODS: We analyze the current flu vaccine supply chain in Australia to identify practical limitations and opportunities for improvement. Data/information is collected through interviewing the key stakeholders across vaccine supply chain including vaccine manufacturers, logistics providers, clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies. FINDINGS: A detailed practice-informed analysis is completed on the key operations of the flu vaccine supply chain. Barriers and limitations of the conventional flu vaccine are discussed, along with potential improvements that can be achieved through the implementation of MAP-enabled flu vaccine delivery. We discuss how technology-driven innovations can help advance vaccine supply chains, improve vaccine visibility, reduce wastes, and enable informed decision-making. CONCLUSION: We find that the benefits of moving from syringe-and-needle vaccines to thermostable MAP-delivered vaccines are beyond transportation and storage cost saving. Potential benefits through cost saving, waste reduction, and service level improvement are discussed along with various safety and wellbeing consequences followed by directions for future research in this area.

Micro array patch (MAP) for the delivery of thermostable vaccines in Australia: A cost/benefit analysis.

BACKGROUND: It is anticipated that transforming the vaccine supply chain from syringe-and-needle to thermostable vaccines enabled by Micro Array Patch (MAP) will result in reduced supply chain costs as well as reduced wastes (environmental impact) and improved safety. This paper provides a thorough cost comparison of the conventional syringe-and-needle vaccine supply chain versus the MAP vaccine supply chain for influenza vaccine delivery in Australia. OBJECTIVE: To determine the potential cost implications and general benefits of replacing syringe-and-needle flu vaccine with MAP-enabled thermostable flu vaccine in Australia. METHODS: We first provide a snapshot of the existing flu vaccine supply chain in Australia including its limitations and opportunities for improvement. Data/information is collected through interviewing the key stakeholders across vaccine supply chain including vaccine manufacturers, logistics providers, clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies. A cost/benefit analysis of the anticipated supply chain of the MAP-enabled vaccine will reveal the opportunities and challenges of supply chain transformation for flu vaccine delivery in Australia. FINDINGS: Our high-level practice-informed cost/benefit analysis identifies cold chain removal as an important source of cost saving, but administrative cost savings appear to be even more significant (e.g., time saving for nurses and those involved in cold chain management). Our analysis also identifies the key benefits and limitations of vaccine supply chain transformation in Australia. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the benefits of moving from syringe-and-needle vaccines to thermostable MAP-delivered vaccines are beyond transportation and storage cost saving. Potential benefits through cost saving, waste reduction, and service level improvement are discussed along with various safety and wellbeing consequences as well as directions for future research in this area.