Value judgments in a COVID-19 vaccination model: A case study in the need for public involvement in health-oriented modelling

Scientific modelling is a value-laden process: the decisions involved can seldom be made using ‘scientific’ criteria alone, but rather draw on social and ethical values. In this paper, we draw on a body of philosophical literature to analyze a COVID-19 vaccination model, presenting a case study of s...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Social science & medicine (1982) 2021-10, Vol.286, p.114323-114323, Article 114323
Main Authors: Harvard, Stephanie, Winsberg, Eric, Symons, John, Adibi, Amin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Case studies
Citizen participation
Coronaviruses
Court decisions
COVID-19
COVID-19 Vaccines
Ethics
Health policy
Humans
Immunization
Judgment
Modelling
Patient and public involvement
PPI
Public health
SARS-CoV-2
Social values
Vaccination
Values
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Summary:Scientific modelling is a value-laden process: the decisions involved can seldom be made using ‘scientific’ criteria alone, but rather draw on social and ethical values. In this paper, we draw on a body of philosophical literature to analyze a COVID-19 vaccination model, presenting a case study of social and ethical value judgments in health-oriented modelling. This case study urges us to make value judgments in health-oriented models explicit and interpretable by non-experts and to invite public involvement in making them. •Scientific modelling involves making social and ethical value judgments.•Value judgments in modelling include ‘representational’ decisions and ‘inferential’ decisions.•Analysis of a COVID-19 vaccination model reinforces the need for public involvement in modelling.
ISSN:0277-9536
1873-5347
1873-5347
DOI:10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114323