Tania Cernuschi

Hello!

We are happy to announce the release of the WHO Vaccine Wastage Rates Calculator. It can be downloaded from the WHO website at the following link:

https://www.who.int/immunization/programmes_systems/supply_chain/resources/tools/en/

It is the culmination of many years of efforts to provide a rational guidance on vaccine wastage estimation.  As you know, wastage is an important parameter for vaccine forecasting needs and remain a sensitive indicator for vaccine utilization.  Therefore, wastage could impact both the immunization programme cost, coverage and equity.

In 2002, WHO issued global indicative vaccine wastage rates to be used by countries in absence of national data. Nevertheless, they remain generic with significant limitations since they were not necessarily reflecting each specific vaccine service delivery setting. The new WHO Vaccine Wastage Rates Calculator was developed in response to these limitations. The development was supported by a WHO model based on binomial statistics, endorsed by the WHO’s Immunization Practices Advisory Committee (IPAC).

The calculator will provide more precise vaccine wastage rates to support:

• EPI managers at country level, to provide accurate annual vaccine forecast, reducing stock out and over stocks; to adapt vaccine product presentation to country context; to reduce missed opportunities; finally, to improve coverage and equity;
• Partners at the global level, to improve predictable global demand and avoid global shortages.

We would like to thank all individuals and partners who contributed greatly to the development of this new WHO Vaccine Wastage Rates Calculator.

We welcome any suggestions and feedback from users that can help to further improve it!

Best,

Tania Cernuschi

Group Manager - Supply, Technologies, and Financing 

Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) | Dept of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals (IVB) 

World Health Organization (WHO)