On a SVEIRS Markov chain epidemic model with multiple discrete delay times and sensitivity analysis to determine vaccination effects

<p> Presentation given at the Southern Georgia Mathematics Conference.</p><p> <a href="https://cosm.georgiasouthern.edu/wp-content/uploads/SGMC-ABSTRACT-BOOKLET.pdf" target="_self"> Abstract Booklet </a></p><p> A novel discrete time general Markov chain SEIRS epidemic model with vaccination is derived and studied. The model incorporates finite delay times for disease incubation, natural and artificial immunity periods, and the period of infectiousness of infected individuals. The novel platform for representing the different states of the disease in the population utilizes two discrete time measures for the current time of a person&rsquo;s state, and how long a person has been in the current state. Two sub-models are derived based on whether the drive to get vaccinated is inspired by close contacts with infectious individuals or otherwise. Sensitivity analysis is conducted on the two models to determine how vaccination affects disease eradication.</p>