Event Description

Gizem will present mathematical models and economic evaluations of interventions against COVID-19, pneumococcal disease, and emerging infectious diseases.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented visibility to the use of modelling to inform health policy. Low supply of COVID-19 vaccines made evidence on how to prioritise these interventions crucial. Epidemiological and economic models of infectious disease allow policy makers to understand the relative benefits of prioritising different population groups.

My thesis uses mathematical and economic modelling to assess the impact of vaccines and oral antivirals against COVID-19, pneumococcal disease, and emerging infectious diseases in five low- and middle-settings: Fiji, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Timor-Leste. I highlight how local characteristics affect the epidemiological impact and cost-effectiveness of these interventions. I discuss limitations in the process of modelling, design of models, and the use of modelling to inform health policy. I conclude by drawing together recommendations on future pandemic preparedness.

Speaker Biography

Gizem Bilgin (she/her) is a PhD candidate in infectious disease modelling. She is particularly interested in the epidemiological and economic impacts of vaccines. Her research combines applied mathematics, health economics, and epidemiology. She supported the ACT’s COVID-19 Outbreak response between 2021-2023. In her spare time, you will find her reading, hiking, or reorganising her pantry. Please reach out to Gizem (gizem.bilgin@anu.edu.au) with any questions or suggestions on what to work on next.