Ramaz Mitaishvili, MD
Glendale, USA
Annual Vaccination Campaign
Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccine Distribution
PCDCP will be responsible for bulk ordering vaccine from manufacturers, and receipt, storage, handling, packing, shipping, and disposal of all publicly purchased vaccines in Abkhazia. Vaccines are ordered and stored centrally at the vaccine storage room, packaged and transported by Fed Ex. All vaccine storage units reside in a room that is kept locked after hours. All refrigerators that contain vaccine are equipped with locks. Temperatures are monitored twice daily. Standard operating procedures to safeguard vaccines during power outages include the availability of backup generators for the power refrigerators in the event of a power outage. Units located at the PCDCP vaccine depot must backup power generators, in the event of a power outage or refrigerator malfunction.
Vaccine Management During a Pandemic Response
The entire population will be susceptible and may require two doses of vaccine for full protection. This means that the PCDCP could potentially use up to300,000 doses. Even if the maximum amount of 300000 doses were to become available, it would most likely arrive in batches over an extended period of time. The amount of vaccine that will have to be managed by the PCDCP will be affected by the following factors:
- Vaccine availability (the manufacturers’ ability to produce and distribute vaccine)
- The proportion of available vaccine that will be purchased and distributed by the public versus the private sector.
- Amount of vaccine available for public purchase through federal contract(s).
- Amount of vaccine available for public purchase through contracts negotiated between the state and manufacturers.
The proportion of influenza vaccine to be distributed and administered through the public versus the private sector is unknown. It is possible that during an emergency, the public sector will be given the responsibility for distribution of all vaccine. Control of vaccine distribution by PCDCP will help to ensure equitable distribution to priority groups regardless of income or access to care and will also facilitate distribution of vaccine to essential community servants. All vaccine available to the public sector will be administered during clinics held by local public health offices, select physician offices or hospital facilities that have been identified by PCDCP.
Ordering
Georgian Government will notify the PCDCP how much vaccine will be available for Abkhazia through federal contract. Vaccine may also be available through contracts negotiated directly between PCDCP and vaccine manufacturers. Once the total amount of vaccine available is known, PCDCP will consult with the Abkhazia public health officials to determine how much vaccine will be distributed to each region (Gudauta, Gagra, Sukhumi, Ochamchire, Gali). The PCDCP is not responsible for ordering or distribution of vaccine available to the private sector.
Allocation
The Abkhazia de-facto officials will likely allocate vaccine to regions on a population-basis. The regions would then administer the vaccine according to PCDCP target group recommendations as supply allows. The regional representatives will contact the PCDCP with shipping details (e.g. what facilities are to receive vaccine).
Written protocols for vaccine distribution will be developed by PCDCP to facilitate new or reassigned staff to assist with vaccine distribution functions.
