Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference

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A Mathematical Investigation of Vaccination Strategies in a Heterogeneous Population to Prevent Measles Epidemics

Undergraduate #293
Discipline: Mathematics and Statistics
Subcategory:

Aleah Archibald - North Carolina A&T State University
Co-Author(s): Nicholas Luke, North Carolina A&T State University


This presentation focuses on an investigation of vaccination strategies to prevent measles epidemics. An SVIR model was created to investigate the process of how an epidemic of measles can spread within a heterogeneous population where a portion of each sub population has been vaccinated. Included in the SVIR model is a contact matrix, which represents the level of interaction between the sub-populations and within each sub-population itself. This project considers an overall population that is divided into nine sub-populations. Simulations from the model are used to determine how the disease spreads based on from where the outbreak originates. Simulations will also be used to investigate the effect of pockets of low vaccination on the overall population. Results from different scenarios will be presented.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): National Science Foundation

Faculty Advisor: Nicholas Luke, luke@ncat.edu

Role: I used MATLAB to produce the graphs and movies associated with the results. I applied the parameters and modified the code in MATLAB to present different scenarios.

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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. DUE-1930047. Any opinions, findings, interpretations, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of its authors and do not represent the views of the AAAS Board of Directors, the Council of AAAS, AAAS’ membership or the National Science Foundation.