Global lessons learnt from the supply and logistics systems for COVID-19 vaccines: A rapid systematic review
6 affiliations
- 1International Vaccine Access Center, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University, 415 N. Washington St, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA; Correspondence to: 415 N. Washington St, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA.
- 2Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals (IVB), World Health Organisation, Geneva, 1211, Switzerland
- 3Direct Consulting and Logistics, 15 Amazon St, Maitama, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, 904101, Nigeria
- 4Department of Community Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, College of Health Science, 2WG7+4VC, Nnewi, Anambra, 435101, Nigeria
- 5Duke Global Health Innovation Center, Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, 310 Trent Drive, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
- 6International Vaccine Access Center, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University, 415 N. Washington St, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
Abstract
COVID-19 vaccines substantially reduced the risk of severe disease, hospitalization and death, and are estimated to have saved 2.5 million lives between 2020 and 2024. Together with the rapid pace of vaccine development, the efficiency of supplying and distributing vaccine doses was critical in ensuring the true potential of the vaccines is realized. We conducted a rapid systematic review to synthesize peer-reviewed accounts of implemented COVID-19 vaccine supply and logistics and the outcomes reported. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and WHO’s Global Index Medicus (GIM) text and numeric databases in four waves between February 2022 and July 2024. Nine papers reporting implementation experience between December 2020 and mid-2023 were included in the final analysis. The results were summarized as per the WHO supply and logistics framework. The papers described nine of the fifteen functions of the WHO framework. Five papers were from high-income countries, and four were from low- and middle-income countries. Key learnings included the need to invest in long-term supply chain capacity and improving digital visibility to increase supply chain efficiency. One study indicated that stronger in-country regulatory agility during health emergencies improves vaccine distribution. One study documented the benefit of public-private partnerships cultivated during COVID-19 pandemic, which can be continued to be nurtured for improvement of routine immunization programs. Two studies indicated that training and upskilling healthcare workers to fill multiple roles can reduce hiring pressures when a gap exists between health personnel availability and need. These learnings can potentially benefit routine immunization programs and future pandemic preparedness.
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BibTeX
@article{nabia2026global,
title = {{Global lessons learnt from the supply and logistics systems for COVID-19 vaccines: A rapid systematic review}},
author = {Sarah Nabia and Alba Vilajeliu and Victor Vega and Ni Made Adnya Suasti and Affiong Simeon Ebong and Chinelo Cynthia Nduka and Katharine Olson and Wenhui Mao and Krishna Udayakumar and Ann Lindstrand and Chizoba Barbara Wonodi},
journal = {SSM - Health Systems},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.ssmhs.2026.100320},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmhs.2026.100320},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Global lessons learnt from the supply and logistics systems for COVID-19 vaccines: A rapid systematic review
AU - Sarah Nabia
AU - Alba Vilajeliu
AU - Victor Vega
AU - Ni Made Adnya Suasti
AU - Affiong Simeon Ebong
AU - Chinelo Cynthia Nduka
AU - Katharine Olson
AU - Wenhui Mao
AU - Krishna Udayakumar
AU - Ann Lindstrand
AU - Chizoba Barbara Wonodi
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/30
JO - SSM - Health Systems
DO - 10.1016/j.ssmhs.2026.100320
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmhs.2026.100320
AB - COVID-19 vaccines substantially reduced the risk of severe disease, hospitalization and death, and are estimated to have saved 2.5 million lives between 2020 and 2024. Together with the rapid pace of vaccine development, the efficiency of supplying and distributing vaccine doses was critical in ensuring the true potential of the vaccines is realized. We conducted a rapid systematic review to synthesize peer-reviewed accounts of implemented COVID-19 vaccine supply and logistics and the outcomes reported. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and WHO’s Global Index Medicus (GIM) text and numeric databases in four waves between February 2022 and July 2024. Nine papers reporting implementation experience between December 2020 and mid-2023 were included in the final analysis. The results were summarized as per the WHO supply and logistics framework. The papers described nine of the fifteen functions of the WHO framework. Five papers were from high-income countries, and four were from low- and middle-income countries. Key learnings included the need to invest in long-term supply chain capacity and improving digital visibility to increase supply chain efficiency. One study indicated that stronger in-country regulatory agility during health emergencies improves vaccine distribution. One study documented the benefit of public-private partnerships cultivated during COVID-19 pandemic, which can be continued to be nurtured for improvement of routine immunization programs. Two studies indicated that training and upskilling healthcare workers to fill multiple roles can reduce hiring pressures when a gap exists between health personnel availability and need. These learnings can potentially benefit routine immunization programs and future pandemic preparedness.
SN - 2949-8562
ER -