Mathematical Modelling for the Vaccine Allocation Considering the Lockdown Policy on Retail Units

Authors

  • Nafiseh Shamsi Gamchi * Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8104-1311
  • Maryam Esmaeili Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22105/raise.v3i1.87

Abstract

This paper proposes a vaccination prioritization strategy aimed at minimizing the social and economic costs of lockdowns, using the COVID-19 pandemic as a case study within a Susceptible–Exposed–Infectious–Recovered (SEIR) epidemic model framework. It critiques the common approach of prioritizing based solely on age (excluding healthcare workers) due to limited decision-making time and resources, overlooking significant economic impacts. By including economically essential groups, such as retailers, in the prioritization strategy alongside age groups, the model aims to enhance vaccination effectiveness. The study also accounts for varying vaccine efficacies and supply constraints from multiple suppliers. Optimal control theory is used to determine the required number of vaccine doses, and the model’s effectiveness is demonstrated through an illustrative example.

Keywords:

Infectious disease, Susceptible–exposed–infectious–recovered epidemic model, Vaccine allocation, Parallel prioritization, Optimal control, Retailers

References

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Published

2026-03-20

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2026): Research Annals of Industrial and Systems Engineering

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Shamsi Gamchi, N., & Esmaeili, M. . (2026). Mathematical Modelling for the Vaccine Allocation Considering the Lockdown Policy on Retail Units. Research Annals of Industrial and Systems Engineering, 3(1), 56–64. https://doi.org/10.22105/raise.v3i1.87

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