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A Web-based Tool for Designing Vaccine Formularies for Childhood Immunization in the United States

^a Simulation and Optimization Laboratory, Department of Computer Science, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL
^b Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Edwardsville, IL

^_* Correspondence: Dr. Sheldon H. Jacobson, Simulation and Optimization Laboratory, Department of Computer Science, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801 (Email: shj{at}illinois.edu).

Received for publication: 10/01/07; accepted for publication: 06/12/08.

This article describes the motivation, development, and implementation of a software tool, www.vaccineselection.com, introduced to assist health care professionals and public health administrators in managing pediatric vaccine purchase decisions and making economically sound formulary choices. The tool integrates general operations research methodologies with specific local practice choices to solve for the lowest overall cost set of vaccines required to immunize a child according to the Recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule. A description of the tool's capabilities is provided. Results on the use of the software tool are reported and discussed.