Cardiff University researchers help strengthen immunisation supply chains

Cardiff Business School researchers delivered a workshop on vaccine demand forecasting for professionals working across Mozambique’s immunisation supply chain.

Data Lab for Social Good Research Group's Professor Bahman Rostami-Tabar and PhD student Udeshi Salgado visited Maputo to better understand the challenges facing immunisation supply chains and explore how their research can contribute to improving vaccine availability and strengthen supply chain management.

Professor Bahman Rostami-Tabar said, “Forecasting is an important part of ensuring that the right vaccines are available in the right place and at the right time.

Udeshi Salgado added, “Seeing the supply chain at different levels was particularly valuable for my research. It helped me understand how data are generated and used in practice, and how forecasting methods can better reflect the operational realities of vaccine supply chains.”

They visited key points in the supply chain, including a provincial vaccine warehouse and a health facility in Maputo's province.

The team also met with partners in Mozambique’s immunisation and logistics systems working with VillageReach to optimise data, processes and operational challenges in vaccine supply chain management.

The visit followed a recent agreement between JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc., Mozambique’s Ministry of Health, and the Data Lab for Social Good to support PhD research.

The collaboration combined academic research with local knowledge and operational experience, developing approaches for the needs of Mozambique’s immunisation system.

Globally, millions of children miss out on life-saving vaccines. Around 19.9 million children missed vaccinations, including 13.5 million zero-dose children who received no routine vaccinations, while 4.9 million children died before reaching their fifth birthday.

Find out more about the Data Lab for Social Good.