Minimization of Transportation Cost for Decision Making in Covid-19 Vaccine Distribution

This study used population data and distance in kilometers to model a transportation problem for the COVID-19 vaccine distribution. The study examined the optimal transportation cost of distributing AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine from storage (warehouse) locations to demand points across Osun State of Nigeria. Ex post facto research design, cluster sampling techniques were adopted in the study. The demand and storage of AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine for Osun State were determined based on a proportion of population statistics. Mechanism theory was adopted and senatorial districts were used as supply locations. The cost per unit of transporting a vaccine from storage location to demand location was computed with distance in kilometer (KM) and the Uber standard cost average of N550 per KM. The R-programming software revealed the transportation model optimal allocations. Accurate knowledge of population statistics and transportation cost per unit of vaccine are essential variables in distributing the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine across Nigeria.