title: A computer simulation of vaccine prioritization, allocation, and rationing during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic.
abstract: In the fall 2009, the University of Pittsburgh Models of Infectious Disease Agent Study (MIDAS) team employed an agent-based computer simulation model (ABM) of the greater Washington, DC, metropolitan region to assist the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Public Preparedness and Response, Department of Health and Human Services, to address several key questions regarding vaccine allocation during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic, including comparing a vaccinating children (i.e., highest transmitters)-first policy versus the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)-recommended vaccinating at-risk individuals-first policy. Our study supported adherence to the ACIP (instead of a children-first policy) prioritization recommendations for the H1N1 influenza vaccine when vaccine is in limited supply and that within the ACIP groups, children should receive highest priority.
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. BYL1@pitt.edu
authors.forename: Bruce Y
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Shawn T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: George W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Korch
authors.forename: Philip C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Cooley
authors.forename: Richard K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Zimmerman
authors.forename: William D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Wheaton
authors.forename: Shanta M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Zimmer
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Grefenstette
authors.forename: Rachel R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: Tina-Marie
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Assi
authors.forename: Donald S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Burke
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015276:Health Care Rationing; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines