Name
#51 - Update on Department of Defense Vaccine Redistribution Program: A Cost-Saving Methodology
Date & Time
Monday, February 12, 2024, 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Description

The vaccine redistribution program moves vaccines from one Department of Defense (DoD) location to another, maintaining proper temperature according to vaccine manufacturer requirements. This program improves access, utilization, and minimizes vaccine waste prior to expiration. Furthermore, this program redistributes vaccines needed to support a rapid deployment. The Immunization Healthcare Division (IHD) has a collaborative support agreement with U.S. Army Medical Materiel Agency’s Distribution Operations Center (USAMMA DOC) to redistribute vaccine when requested by IHD. Beginning in 2002, USAMMA DOC moved anthrax vaccine from one location to another based on usage and expiration date. An estimated .9 million in anthrax vaccine costs may have been avoided. USAMMA DOC expanded the program in 2004 when the smallpox vaccination program was re-initiated. Successful redistribution of anthrax and smallpox vaccines served as a precursor to inclusion of other vaccines into the program. In 2014, the IHD began monitoring all vaccine redistributions and several trends were identified. During FY 2014-2018, this program redistributed 90,300 doses of vaccine, saving .3 million in potential product loss. During FY 2019-2023, this program redistributed over 112,600 doses of vaccine, avoiding .9 million in product lost. During this timeframe, COVID-19 vaccines, Safe Haven program vaccines (excess vaccines from Operation Allies Welcome), several military and deployment-specific vaccines were among the redistributed vaccines. FY22 was the program’s most robust for number of doses (50,767) redistributed and cost avoidance (.1M), while FY2020 was the least. Currently, there is no regulatory policy for vaccine redistribution. It is a voluntary program initiated at the local medical treatment facility (MTF) level. The vaccine redistribution process begins when a MTF or other immunization site contacts their servicing IHD Immunization Healthcare Specialist or USAMMA DOC with a request to redistribute surplus vaccine. The Immunization Healthcare Specialist or USAMMA DOC obtains pertinent vaccine information, and then identifies the MTFs or immunization sites that can utilize the vaccine. USAMMA DOC facilitates the safe shipment of vaccine between the sites, and the receiving site pays for the shipment using its FedEx account, transportation account code, or shipping airway bill. The voluntary vaccine redistribution program has demonstrated significant cost savings of nearly million per year. We strongly believe that this program has the potential to be more cost effective and minimize vaccine waste by implementing a vaccine redistribution program via formal policy guidance with a single robust inventory management program and centralized funding to ship vaccines.

Location Name
Prince Georges Exhibit Hall A/B
Content Presented on Behalf of
DHA
Learning Outcomes
Describe the voluntary vaccine redistribution program within the DoD. Identify vaccine redistribution and cost saving trends. Identify potential improvements to the voluntary vaccine redistribution program
Session Type
Posters
Dropdown Content Presented On Behalf Of:
DHA