A mathematical model for equitable in-country COVID-19 vaccine allocation

Given the scarcity of COVID-19 vaccines, equitable (fair) allocation limited vaccines across main administrative units a country (e.g. municipalities) has been an important concern for public health authorities worldwide. In this study, we address inside countries by developing novel, evidence-based mathematical model that accounts multiple priority groups elderly, healthcare workers), vaccine types, and regional characteristics storage capacities, infection risk levels). Our research contributes to literature validating proposes alternatives in very short time (a) minimising deviations from so-called ‘fair coverage’ levels are computed based on weighted pro-rata rations, (b) imposing minimum coverage thresholds control higher regions. To describe merits our model, provide several equity effectiveness metrics, present insights different policies. We compare methodology with similar models show its better performance achieving equity. illustrate practice, perform comprehensive numerical study actual data corresponding early vaccination period Turkey.