Forecasting and supply planning are the initial processes in the continuum of supply chain management operations aimed at predicting the demand for products and determining when, where and how much quantity of each product needs to be delivered to meet the expected demand and to maintain adequate inventory levels throughout the supply chain system. The Immunization Forecasting and Supply Planning Toolbox (IFSP Toolbox) contains relevant and adaptable tools and guidance intended to support national-level government professionals and other immunization partners who are involved or interested in strengthening capacities in forecasting and supply planning for vaccines, immunization supplies and cold chain equipment (CCE).
Resulting from UNICEF Supply Division's collaboration with key global immunization partners (WHO, JSI, VillageReach, PATH, and Clinton Health Access Initiative), it is expected that the toolbox will contribute to the achievement of national immunization programme targets, the Sustainable Development Goal on Universal Health Coverage (Goal 3.8), as well as other global and national strategies, by enhancing access to safe, effective and quality vaccines for all, including reaching zero-dose children.
The toolbox will continuously be updated with relevant materials and country examples, and it is structured in a simple and intuitive manner to align with the chronological activities involved in forecasting and supply planning.
The toolbox is organized into the following sections:
- Introduction to immunization forecasting and supply planning
- Forecasting
- Supply planning, and results
- Performance monitoring
- Assessment and improvement planning
- Training ressources
- Other resources, including policy considerations and country examples
LIST OF RESOURCES
1. Introduction to immunization forecasting and supply planning (ifsp)
The tools in this section will help users understand the IFSP processes through the definition of key concepts, description of relevant IFSP operational processes and identification of benefits.
Part of the tools will also provide national decision-makers with clear guidance on how to put in place and organize processes, policies, and resources to ensure effective coordination and meaningful improvement of the IFSP.
| Title | Author | Year | Type | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coordinating Forecasting and Supply Planning | UNICEF | 2023 | Guidance | English |
| Overview of Forecasting and Supply Planning | UNICEF | 2023 | Guidance | English |
| Terms of Reference for the Immunization Forecasting and Supply Planning Team | UNICEF | 2023 | Tool | English |
2. Forecasting
This section contains documents describing preparatory activities for Immunization Forecasting and Supply Planning, forecasting methods and programmatic guidance as well as associated standard operating procedures and job aids to standardize and build consensus on forecasts.
| Title | Author | Year | Type | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimating Forecast for Vaccines and Other Immunization Supplies | UNICEF | 2023 | Guidance | English |
| Preparing for Forecasting and Supply Planning | UNICEF | 2023 | Guidance | English |
| WHO Vaccination Session Planning App 2022 | World Health Organization (WHO) | 2022 | Tool | English |
| WHO_Vaccine_Wastage_Rates_Calculator_Tool_2023 | World Health Organization (WHO) | 2023 | Tool | Arabic, English, French, Russian, Spanish |
3. Supply planning, and results
This section contains documents describing supply planning, including associated SOP, job aids and process guidance to standardize and build consensus on total commodity requirements as well as supply costing and budgeting tools. It also includes guidance on how to present Forecasting and Supply Planning results to key stakeholders and how to operationalize the forecast and supply plan.
| Title | Author | Year | Type | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anyland Country Supply Outlook | JSI Research & Training Institute | 2022 | Tool | English |
| Operationalizing The Forecast and Supply Plan | UNICEF | 2023 | Guidance | English |
| Presenting Forecasting and Supply Planning Results | UNICEF | 2023 | Guidance | English |
| Supply Planning for Vaccines and Other Immunization Supplies | UNICEF | 2023 | Guidance | English |
4. Performance monitoring and regular reviews
This section provides useful guidance and tools on performance monitoring of immunization forecasting and supply planning and suggests key performance indicators to use. It also includes content on the importance and implementation of regular reviews and updates of the forecasts and the supply plans.
| Title | Author | Year | Type | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Performance Monitoring of Forecasting and Supply Planning | UNICEF | 2023 | Guidance | English |
| Review of Forecasting and Supply Planning | UNICEF | 2023 | Guidance | English |
5. Assessment and improvement planning
This section includes guidance on assessments and improvement planning as well as tools for conducting FSP assessments and improvement planning.
| Title | Author | Year | Type | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment and Improvement Planning of Forecasting and Supply Planning | UNICEF | 2023 | Guidance | English |
| Forecasting and Supply Planning Assessment Tool | UNICEF | 2023 | Tool | English |
6. Training resources
The section provides training resources organized into separate forecasting and supply planning topics, and that can be customized according to the country context.
Resources not available.
7. Other resources, including policy considerations and country examples
(Strategies, Communication Materials, Country Examples, etc.)
This section includes handouts, webinar resources and other promotional material that can be used to create awareness and highlight the importance of prioritizing IFSP. It also includes case stories that provide the practical element to the toolbox. The cases have different focus points and while some target specific elements of the IFSP process, others are cross-cutting with a holistic consideration of IFSP.
Under this section will also be a collection of useful policy elements and tools relevant to help set up a healthy policy environment conducive to a more agile, resilient and effective IFSP process.