An Evaluation System for COVID-19 Vaccine Transportation Quality Based on Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process

Hung-Lung Lin (), Yu-Yu Ma and Chin-Tsai Lin
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Hung-Lung Lin: School of Economics and Management, Sanming University, No. 25, Ching-Tung Rd., Sanming 365004, China
Yu-Yu Ma: School of Education Science and Psychology, Minnan Normal University, No. 36, Shì Qian Zhi St., Zhangzhou 363000, China
Chin-Tsai Lin: Department of Business Administration, Ming Chuan University, 250 Zhong Shan North Road, Section 5, Taipei 111, Taiwan

Mathematics, 2023, vol. 11, issue 18, 1-28

Abstract: COVID-19 vaccines have become pivotal in combating the pandemic since 2019. However, risks stemming from human errors, equipment malfunctions, and emergencies during cold-chain transportation can jeopardize vaccine security without effective safety standards. To ensure COVID-19 vaccine transportation safety, efficiency, and quality while mitigating risks, this study employed the modified Delphi method (MDM) to create a cold-chain vaccine transportation quality evaluation system. With the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP), it then ranked indicator importance. The system comprises 5 criteria and 26 sub-criteria, highlighting factors like local weather conditions, topography, road characteristics, cold-chain logistics standardization, and national economic development. These significantly impact vaccine transport quality and risk. Regional authorities are advised to address these high-priority indicators by enhancing equipment, refining operational procedures, strengthening monitoring, offering training, etc. This comprehensive approach could minimize potential transportation setbacks, ensuring vaccine safety and quality. Crucially, this system offers valuable insights for health policies, transportation bodies, and companies. It sets safety benchmarks for cold-chain vaccine transportation and can be extended to other vaccines or medicines. This contribution is pivotal for future vaccine transportation management.

Keywords: COVID-19 vaccines; cold-chain transportation; transportation safety and quality; modified Delphi method (MDM); fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP); fuzzy sensitivity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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