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Ethical factors associated with vaccinations
Ethical factors associated with vaccinations
Ethical factors associated with vaccinations
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The individual has the right to refuse vaccination. But how does that effect the society the individual lives in? How does this refusal effect the healthcare provider that is trained to nurture and care for life? Is it right to force vaccination on someone? These are all ethical questions raised by the individuals chose for or against vaccinations. Vaccination is a safeguard for not just the individual, but also the vulnerable members of society. If vaccinations are so important for both the individual and society, why would anyone choose to forego vaccination? Could technology and a diverse population play a role in refusal of vaccination? These are all ethical questions raised by the individuals chose to forego vaccination. What, if anything …show more content…
They include Egoism, Virtue Ethics, Deontology, Consequentialism, and Utilitarianism. People often combined the principles to come to a good decision. In this discussion Utilitarianism is utilized. Utilitarianism is defined as “one should act so as to do the greatest good for the greatest number” (Baillie, et al, 2012, p. 4). From this perspective, the healthcare provider has to weigh the right of the individual’s autonomy, and the right of society to be safe. Utilitarianism would require the doctor to do everything in their power to get the patient to agree to vaccination. To do this the healthcare provider would try and educate the patient about the possible (very rear) side effects associated with vaccination. Then inform the patient of the very real risks associated with forgoing vaccinations. Along with providing the patient with places to find their own reliable information (i.e. CDC, Health department). It is also vital that the healthcare professional understand the many reasons the individual is forgoing vaccination. Once this information is known, the healthcare professional can work with other minds of the field to look for other ways to persuade the individual to be vaccinated. Not just for their good, but for the good of everyone. However, in the end if after the patient has been fully informed of all the facts relating to vaccination, they still choose to forgo vaccination the doctor must comply. However, before they comply they would exhaust all the resources available to persuade the patent to do what is in the best interest of not only the patient, but the entire society. As I said there is no clear-cut answer. The best solution is to get everyone involved taking about the problem. While it is not possible to completely satisfy all parties involved, it is possible to strike a balance between all the interested
The article “People Should Not Be Allowed to Refuse Vaccination” focuses on the dangers people who choose not to vaccinate are opening to others. The argument stems from the ease with which disease can spread through an unvaccinated community and the threat this poses to those who cannot vaccinate. Because of this danger the author of the article believes vaccination should not be left to choice, but required for the good of public safety.
“Vaccinations are causing a major upsurge in childhood diseases, adult maladies, and even deadly ailments such as Gulf War Syndrome and Lou Gehrig’s disease” (Blaylock). Every now and then an individual’s doctor calls telling them about the latest vaccine they should receive. The person immediately schedules a time to come in and get it done. But do they even give a second thought about it? Have they ever thought that maybe they do not need another vaccination? Many people have not taken the time to seriously think about the process of immunization. The truth is, there are many dangers that the average person should be unaware of. Rarely do vaccines actually accomplish what the public has been told. In fact, a lot of vaccines contain harmful substances that have been linked to disorders such as autism. The lack of education and dishonesty from doctors are putting people in danger of health problems without even realizing. Many parents feel obligated for their children to get vaccinated because of school, not knowing they have the alternative option of refusing immunization.
Many people believe that medical decisions for children should be left up to the parents or the child’s legal guardian. “ If the state can tag, track down, and forced citizens against their will to be injected with biological products of known and unknown toxicity today, there will be no limitation which individual freedoms that state can take away in the name of the greater good tomorrow.” (Barbara Low Fisher, co-founder of the National Vaccine Information Center)
Vaccination was first introduced globally for small pox and later on extended to other communicable diseases which are now known as vaccine preventable disease. Vaccination is beneficial both for individuals and community. This bring us to the ethical dilemma - Vaccination of a healthy child with the intention of protecting both the individual child and the community at the same time exposing the child to the theoretical risk of exposure to disease products whether live, attenuated or killed. There was a time when people never questioned the government or their physicians. Now because of more public awareness and accessibility to medical information, they are questioning the safety aspects of vaccines.
Through the years, controversy has surrounded vaccinations such as, whether or not they have harmful side-affects, are a government scheme, or simply unnecessary. Parents today have a choice whether or not to vaccinate their children, but should vaccinations be choice? By mandating vaccinations, fewer people are likely to contract diseases. Although vaccines have been subject to scrutiny, vaccines have worked for many years, are not harmful, and use safe ingredients.
Every summer before school starts I remember my mom taking me to get all of my vaccines. Although, at first I did not understand the importance I now realize how crucial vaccines truly are. Those vaccines were a major part of what kept me from obtaining harmful diseases or even passing them to other children. Vaccines are one of the safest medical products available and the best defense we have against preventable, contagious diseases. Not only are they beneficial to yourself, but also the rest of the population. Therefore, parents should be required to get their children vaccinated.
One of the major criticisms of mandatory vaccinations is the shift of balance in autonomy and choice versus the protection of the public (Anomaly, "Public Health and Public Goods"). I can see how from a Kantian perspective that mandatory vaccinations could be using people as mere means for the greater good of the public health, but when one’s individual rights and choices endanger my personal safety there needs to be some regulation. The idea of herd immunity may follow from a utilitarian framework that vaccinations bring about the greatest possibly good and minimize harm and ultimately maximize the happiness of the public, but it is a practice that promotes the health of our future generation. Individuals against mandatory vaccinations argue against the need for vaccinations due to the potential harmful side effects they may result in. The fear driving what vaccinations contain is based off misinterpreting data. The CDC provides great amounts of knowledge of the potential and tolerable side effects of vaccinations. Another major argument against mandatory vaccinations is the cost. Like mentioned above the vaccines that are currently required to go to school are measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Polio, Whopping Cough, Diphtheria, Varicella, Hepatitis B and Hib, which can be a costly doctor visit. The likelihood that these vaccines will no longer be mandatory for school-aged children is
My Audience will know the Importance of Immunizations I. INTRODUCTION The Importance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases A. ATTENTION GETTER “Fact Texas is ranked last in Immunization coverage rates among the 50 states” B. ESTABLISH THEME Un immunized kids are starting to become a risk factor in our Texas school, to a point where they are starting to exclude students from school activities. C. CREDIBILITY I speak from first hand knowledge, not only am I faced with these problems on a day to day basis, my daughter was diagnosed with pertussis from an un immunized contact person, so I know the importance of immunizations.
Many people come to the United States of America in order to live freely and make choices based on their personal morals. Considering the fact that America is known for being the “land of the free”, people should be able to choose whether or not they want to get vaccinated. People should have the right to reject vaccinations for whatever reason it may be, whether it’s religious beliefs, health concerns, or lack of belief in the vaccination systems. Personally, Vaccinations have benefited me and my health, and I choose to get vaccinated. I choose to get vaccinated because I strongly believe in a way it helps build my immune system and keeps me from getting sick or catching diseases. However, people have different beliefs than mine. Therefore
By relinquishing the right of adults to choose whether they get vaccinated or not, the government is devaluing the individual, in essence, the government is putting the collective ahead of the group, this concept is a key foundation in democratic centralism, better known as Communism. Individual rights was a huge basis on the foundation of the US(US Constitution), denying the rights of the individuals to chooses whether they get or not, breaks this foundation(Darrell). Requiring vaccination also brings many issues into play, such as making the time to take all the vaccinations, and many vaccinations can’t be taken all at once, and this results in them breaking their normal schedule. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, a former ophthalmologist, agrees while vaccines are a wondrous thing, but freedom should not be compromised in the sake of universal vaccination(Rand
Vaccines are routinely given to people from childhood onwards to provide active acquired immunity and protection against common diseases. Their ingredients are reported to be safe by pharmaceutical companies and the New Zealand ministry of health (2012) states that vaccines help prevent diseases in New Zealand (NZ) such as the measles. Despite this many parents have formed what is known as the anti-vaccination communities for a variety of reasons to refuse routine and mandated vaccinations for their children. Ethical factors arise whether it is right to differ or refuse vaccinations, is it unethical to pressure parents to vaccinate their children. The ethical factors such as ideological opposition, freedom of choice and uncertainty are factors
One of many arguments toward this topic is human rights. It is the people’s choices as to whether or not they would like to receive vaccinations as it is a basic human right therefore, people should not be forced to receive vaccinations. People are capable of making their own decisions and so they should be able to. Some work places and schools don’t allow people who are unvaccinated to attend. The individual’s rights would be breached if they are refused jobs, benefits in terms of welfare or places in schools as it is a form of discrimination. A common belief many people have is that vaccinations are linked to autism. Research has discovered that several vaccines do in fact, contain harmful ingredients. Thimerosal (thiomersal) is a mercury compound used to preserve vaccines and prevent contamination of multi-dose of vaccines. Mercury causes neurological damage which raises concerns amongst the people, especially parents. A study by Freed et al in 2010, proved that one in five parents continue to believe that vaccinations are somehow linked to autism even though a majority of research says otherwise. An example of an ingredient in vaccine that has negative effects is gelatine. Gelatine is acquired from the collagen inside animals’ skin and bones and injecting it creates a risk of infection from synthetic growth hormones and BSE infectivity. Another consequence of compulsory vaccination is the allergy reactions to certain ingredients a person may have. Compulsory vaccinations would require people to provide proof of their allergies and if there is none, they are obligated to receive vaccinations. Some allergy reactions to vaccines may be severe. It is unfair to put a person’s life or health at risk simply because they were forced to accept vaccinations. Making decisions about vaccinations should be an individual’s choice as
Vaccines against diphtheria, polio, pertussis, measles, mumps and rubella, and more recent additions of hepatitis B and chicken pox, have given humans powerful immune guards to ward off unwelcome sickness. And thanks to state laws that require vaccinations for kids enrolling in kindergarten, the U.S. presently enjoys the highest immunization rate ever at 77%. Yet bubbling beneath these national numbers is the question about vaccine safety. Driven by claims that vaccinations can be associated with autism, increasing number of parents are raising questions about whether vaccines are in fact harmful to children, instead of helpful (Park, 2008).
How would you feel if the right to choose to vaccinate your child was taken away? What if after the child received their vaccinations they contracted a serious illness or even died from the vaccinations? There are many cases that have shown adverse reactions in children who have had regular or mandatory vaccination series throughout their lives. Throughout our lives, we are introducing foreign particles and chemicals into our body by receiving the vaccinations that are mandated by our jobs or school. These vaccinations start from the time we are born and continue until the day that we die. Not only are we not allowing our body to build an immunity on it’s on, but we are also traumatizing our children by making them receive shots on a routine basis. There are many reasons that vaccinations should not be mandatory, but the most important are the number of vaccinations, ineffectiveness, and side effects.
Macklin R. (2003). Applying the Four Principles, Journal of Medical Ethics; 29: p.275-280 doi:10.1136/jme.29.5.275.retrieved from http:// jme.bmj.com/content/29/5/275.full