Optimizing Vaccine Delivery with Drones for Hard-to-Reach Regions

Abstract

This research optimizes the use of drones, alongside other transport modes, for delivery of routine childhood vaccines subject to cold chain requirements. We focus on the value of drones to improve vaccine deliveries for hard-to-reach regions. This paper first briefly describes optimization of country-level vaccine distribution from national depots to local health zone distributions centers (DCs) using both large and small drones, along with boats, trucks and planes. Then we focus on research on optimizing local vaccine delivery within one health zone, from the DC to remote aid posts, using small drones, along with walking, boats and trucks. Results using data for the island nation of Vanuatu show that drones can be very useful for vaccine delivery to replace current transportation options, and to resupply health workers with fresh vaccines at remote sites to allow more efficient health worker outreach trips.