ENSURING THE CITIZENS’ RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS IN CASE OF COVID-19 VACCINATIO IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM

Abstract

The aim: To study the legal and regulatory framework for ensuring the right to health of patients depending on the legal status of coronavirus vaccines in different countries as an essential element influencing the right to public health and other rights of citizens. Materials and methods: In this paper, we study the legal norms and scientific positions on the above issue using generalized information from scientific journals that use scientific methods from a medical and legal point of view. This article is based on dialectical, comparative, analytical, synthetic, and complex research methods. Using the above methods, we studied the attitudes of different categories of citizens to vaccination against coronavirus disease through questionnaires on the following issues: attitudes to vaccination in general; motivation for vaccination, in case of consent to vaccination; reasons for refusal of vaccination. The case-law of the European Court of Human Rights on vaccination and ensuring the rights of citizens to health care was also analyzed. Results: Proper legal regulation of the right to health depending on the legal status of the vaccines is important in order to implement restrictive measures to combat COVID-19 and, accordingly, to prevent the possible spread of a pandemic in the public health system. Conclusions: Ensuring the right to health and applying restrictive measures to prevent the spread of a pandemic is an essential element of the public health system. However, the question of the legal status of vaccines is crucial to prevent the spread of the disease. That is, it is essential to go through all the stages of clinical trials for the vaccines used. Their safety and effectiveness and proving the fact that the harm of vaccination is much less than the harm of the spread of coronavirus disease. In the process of ensuring the right to health, including by making compulsory vaccination against COVID-19, legal framework and practice are critical components that aim to minimize the potential hazards that threaten the health and lives of the population.