Authors :
Prince Keshi; Saikat Kundu; Muhammad Latif
Volume/Issue :
Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 12 - December
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/234r7235
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/2n75k2hz
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25dec038
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Abstract :
This study aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operations at a COVID-19 vaccination centre
using advanced Discrete Event Simulation (DES) techniques. With the decreasing demand for vaccinations, the focus has
shifted from increasing capacity to optimizing the patient experience and operational flow. The research uses Witness
Horizon, a DES tool, to create a digital twin of a vaccination centre using data collected through online surveys, interactive
sessions with psychologist and past works, offering a comprehensive view of both operational and human behavioral
aspects, enabling the modelling of various scenarios and addressing logistical bottlenecks and behavioral factors. The
simulation results indicated that minor adjustments in patient flow, staff allocation, resource utilisation and addressing
psychological barriers like vaccine anxiety, the likelihood of patients completing the vaccination process improved,
significantly enhancing operational efficiency, reducing wait times and improving overall patient satisfaction. Despite
limitations such as data collection and software accessibility constraints, the built model proved effective in identifying key
challenges, and recommendations were made for optimizing future public health initiatives.
Keywords :
Vaccination Centres; Discrete Event Simulation; COVID-19; Witness Horizon.
References :
- Reiter, P. L., Pennell, M. L. and Katz, M. L. (2020) 'Acceptability of a COVID-19 Vaccine Among Adults in the United States: How Many People Would Get Vaccinated?', Vaccine, 38(42), pp. 6500-6507.
- Danek, S., Duchrau, M., Krois, J. and Schwendicke, F. (2023) 'How Do Users Respond to Mass Vaccination Centres? A Cross-Sectional Study Using Natural Language Processing on Online Reviews to Explore User Experience and Satisfaction With COVID-19 Vaccination Centers', Vaccines, 11(1), pp. 144.
- Meijer, C., Uh, H.-W. and El Bouhaddani, S. (2023) 'Digital Twins in Healthcare: Methodological Challenges and Opportunities'.
- Mike-Ogburia, M. I., Nyebuchi, J., Konne, F. E. and Jacob, R. (2021) 'COVID-19 Vaccines and Vaccination Report: The Nigeria Perspective', Journal of Advances in Microbiology, pp. 60-63J.
- Hassanzadeh, H., Boyle, J., Khanna, S., Biki, B., Syed, F., Sweeney, L. and Borkwood, E. (2022) 'A Discrete Event Simulation for Improving Operating Theatre Efficiency', The International Journal of Health Planning and Management, 38(2), pp. 360-379.
- Mohiuddin, S., Busby, J., Savović, J., Richards, A., Northstone, K., Hollingworth, W., Donovan, J. and Vasilakis, C. (2017) 'Patient Flow Within UK Emergency Departments: A Systematic Review of the Use of Computer Simulation Modelling Methods', BMJ Open, 7(5), pp. e015007.
- Qunaibi, E. A., Helmy, M., Basheti, I. A. and Sultan, I. (2021) 'A High Rate of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in a Large-Scale Survey on Arabs', Elife, 10.
- Aberumand, B., Goulstone, W. A. and Betschel, S. (2022) 'Understanding Attitudes and Obstacles to Vaccination Against COVID-19 in Patients With Primary Immunodeficiency', Allergy Asthma & Clinical Immunology, 18(1).
- Siram, B., Shah, M. and Panda, R. (2022) 'Vaccine Hesitancy in COVID-19: A Behavioural Economics Approach—A Systematic Literature Review', Studies in Microeconomics, 12(3), pp. 371-381.
- Brauer, E. R., Choi, K. R., Chang, J., Luo, Y., Lewin, B., Munoz-Plaza, C., Bronstein, D. and Bruxvoort, K. (2021) 'Health Care Providers’ Trusted Sources for Information About COVID-19 Vaccines: Mixed Methods Study', Jmir Infodemiology, 1(1), pp. e33330.
- Danek, S., Duchrau, M., Krois, J. and Schwendicke, F. (2023) 'How Do Users Respond to Mass Vaccination Centres? A Cross-Sectional Study Using Natural Language Processing on Online Reviews to Explore User Experience and Satisfaction With COVID-19 Vaccination Centers', Vaccines, 11(1), pp. 144.
- Department of Health and Social Care (2022) UK marks 132 million life-saving COVID-19 vaccinations in 2021. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-marks-132-million-life-saving-covid-19-vaccinations-in-2021.
- UK Health Security Agency (2021) Monitoring reports of the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/monitoring-reports-of-the-effectiveness-of-covid-19-vaccination.
- Duffy, C., Newing, A. and Górska, J. (2021) 'Evaluating the Geographical Accessibility and Equity of COVID-19 Vaccination Sites in England', Vaccines, 10(1), pp. 50.
- Westra, H. A. and Di Bartolomeo, A. A. (2024) 'Developing Expertise in Psychotherapy: The Case for Process Coding as Clinical Training', American Psychologist, 79(2), pp. 163-174.
- Reid, I., Kundu, S. and Latif, M. 'Evaluating a Covid-19 vaccine centre in the UK using a DES model'. International Virtual Conference on Industry: Springer, 197-210.
- Wood, R. M., Moss, S. J., Murch, B. J., Davies, C. and Vasilakis, C. (2021) 'Improving COVID-19 Vaccination Centre Operation Through Computer Modelling and Simulation'.
- Angler, Y., Loßin, A. and Goetz, O. (2024) 'Process Flows of an Emergency Department. How Process Modelling and Simulation Can Help Improve the Efficiency and Quality of Patient Care', SHS Web of Conferences, 184, pp. 02009.
- Hu, L. P., Chen, X. J. and Zuo, L. (2014) 'Service Completion Event Processing on Computer Simulation for Discrete Event System', Applied Mechanics and Materials, 543-547, pp. 1852-1855.
This study aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operations at a COVID-19 vaccination centre
using advanced Discrete Event Simulation (DES) techniques. With the decreasing demand for vaccinations, the focus has
shifted from increasing capacity to optimizing the patient experience and operational flow. The research uses Witness
Horizon, a DES tool, to create a digital twin of a vaccination centre using data collected through online surveys, interactive
sessions with psychologist and past works, offering a comprehensive view of both operational and human behavioral
aspects, enabling the modelling of various scenarios and addressing logistical bottlenecks and behavioral factors. The
simulation results indicated that minor adjustments in patient flow, staff allocation, resource utilisation and addressing
psychological barriers like vaccine anxiety, the likelihood of patients completing the vaccination process improved,
significantly enhancing operational efficiency, reducing wait times and improving overall patient satisfaction. Despite
limitations such as data collection and software accessibility constraints, the built model proved effective in identifying key
challenges, and recommendations were made for optimizing future public health initiatives.
Keywords :
Vaccination Centres; Discrete Event Simulation; COVID-19; Witness Horizon.