Optimizing vaccine allocation: a review of epidemiological models with behavioral adaptation
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Accurate vaccine distribution remains central to epidemic management, particularly when resources are limited and public response varies. This revised review evaluates three epidemiological modeling approaches that guide vaccine allocation decisions: DELPHI-V-OPT (an integrated epidemiological-optimization framework), a hybrid Agent-Based plus Differential Equation model, and Probabilistic (stochastic) Control models. Building on the original manuscript, this revision adds a transparent literature-search methodology, a strengthened, chronological literature review, clearer technical descriptions (especially the bidirectional coupling between agent-based simulations and compartmental equations), and a comprehensive limitations and future-work section for each model. We justify the selection of DELPHI-V-OPT as the primary practical framework for policy use, then introduce and analytically integrate a behavioral variable representing vaccine hesitancy into the allocation optimization. The extension recalibrates effective demand, reduces dose wastage, and provides operational recommendations for estimating hesitancy and adapting allocations in resource-limited and resource-rich settings. The revised manuscript includes a summary comparison table of model features, explicit search strategy, and targeted references that support methodological choices and model adaptations.
Authors: Ruhan Gudeli, Karthik Mangu, Himanshu Agarwal
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4416682514