Vaccine Access

Getting vaccines to where they are needed may be challenging due to the logistical issues involved in transporting vaccines or may relate to the pathways that individuals need to take to access vaccines.

Vaccine transport

Vaccines are biological products that may be damaged by freezing, overheating or light. In order to preserve a vaccine it needs to be maintained at a controlled temperature until it is administered; this is referred to as a cold chain. Damage to a vaccine may mean that it does not work effectively. One of the challenges of getting vaccines to remmote areas of the world where there are high rates of infectious diseases is maintaining the cold chain and having the right transport infrastructure.

Project Last Mile is a public-private collaboration that uses the logistics, supply chain and marketing experience of a large international company in order to get vaccines to remote communities in Sub-Saharan Africa. The short film below explains how the model works:

Vaccination Pathways

Providing different pathways through which vaccination is available can make it easier for individuals to be vaccinated. Traditionally, vaccines were given in doctors’ offices or clinics which may have limited opening hours and availability.

The use of pharmacists to administer influenza vaccines, in some parts of the world, provides individuals with a more flexible and convenient pathway as pharmacies may have longer opening hours and offer walk-in appointments.

Vaccinating children in schools means that instead of individual families having to attend the doctors’ office or clinic, the vaccines can be brought to the children. The short film below explains how this model is used in the United Kingdom: