Integrating Resilience and Sustainability Paradigms in Vaccine Supply Chain Management: A Multi-Objective Simulation/Optimization Approach

Abstract

Vaccination is crucial for human health, and the success of vaccination programs depends not only on the vaccines themselves but also on the strength of the supporting supply chain and logistical systems. The World Health Organization emphasizes the importance of sustainability and resilience in vaccine supply chains, as outlined in the Immunization Agenda 2030. This paper aims to illustrate how multi-objective simulation/optimization can assist decision-makers in integrating sustainability and resilience concepts in vaccine supply chain management, based on the Paradox Theory. The technique was applied to the operational management of a vaccination point in the Central Alentejo region, resulting in nine non- dominated solutions. This approach enables decision-makers to make data-based decisions and gain insights into the potential outcomes before finalizing their choices. Our find ings demonstrate that multi-objective simulation/optimization provides valuable insights, allowing decision-makers to consider a more comprehensive “both-and” approach instead of singular choices.