Ethical Issues Concerning Vaccination Requirements

Vaccinations are one of public health's greatest achievements. However, an ethical dilemma lies in the balance of personal autonomy and choice versus protection of the entire at risk population. Vaccines have become readily available in most parts of the world, yet debates continue as to the ap...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Public health reviews 2012-06, Vol.34 (1), p.1-20, Article 14
Main Authors: El Amin, Alvin Nelson, Parra, Michelle T, Kim-Farley, Robert, Fielding, Jonathan E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Community
Disease
Ethics
Families & family life
Health risks
Herd immunity
Immunization
Measles
Mortality
Public awareness
Public health
Vaccines
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Summary:Vaccinations are one of public health's greatest achievements. However, an ethical dilemma lies in the balance of personal autonomy and choice versus protection of the entire at risk population. Vaccines have become readily available in most parts of the world, yet debates continue as to the appropriateness of requirements for vaccinations, including legal mandates of vaccinations during public health emergencies and more routinely for school entry. This paper addresses ethical issues concerning vaccination requirements in the context of historical as well as current immunization program activities. Five important programmatic focus areas for immunization programs are identified for minimizing conflicts among the relevant ethical principles when developing and implementing vaccination requirements; namely: 1) reviewing and evaluating current vaccination mandates in the relevant health jurisdiction; 2) increasing the use of non-compulsory vaccination strategies; 3) addressing parent/guardian vaccine safety concerns; 4) enhancing public awareness of vaccine-preventable disease risks; and 5) promoting a better public understanding of herd immunity. We suggest that strengthening these programmatic focus areas can lead to a greater public acceptance of vaccination requirements.
ISSN:2107-6952
0301-0422
2107-6952
DOI:10.1007/BF03391666