The Dilemma of Compulsory Vaccinations—Ethical and Legal Considerations

Author:

Sela Yael1,Grinberg Keren1ORCID,Nissanholtz-Gannot Rachel23ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Department of Nursing Sciences, Ruppin Academic Center, Emek- Hefer 4025000, Israel

2. Department of Health Systems Management, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel

3. Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute, Jerusalem 9103702, Israel

Abstract

The high childhood vaccination coverage in Israel leads to a low rate of morbidity from the diseases against which the vaccination in administered. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, children’s immunization rates declined dramatically due to closures of schools and childcare services, lockdowns, and guidelines for physical distancing. In addition, parents’ hesitancy, refusals, and delays in adhering to routine childhood immunizations seem to have increased during the pandemic. A decline in routine pediatric vaccine administration might indicate that the entire population faces increased risks for outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. Throughout history, vaccines have raised questions about their safety, efficacy, and need among adults and parents who feared or hesitated to vaccinate their children. Objections derive from various ideological and religious reasons or concerns about the possible inherent dangers. Mistrust in the government and/or economic or political interests also raise concerns among parents. The importance of providing vaccines to maintain public health, as opposed to the autonomy of the individuals over their body and their children, raises ethical questions. In Israel, there is no legal obligation to get vaccinated. It is imperative to find a decisive solution to this situation without delay. Furthermore, where democratically one’s principles are sacred and where one’s autonomy over one’s body is also unquestionable, such a legal solution would not only be unacceptable but also rather impossible to enforce. It seems that some reasonable balance between the necessity to preserve public health and our democratic principles should apply.

Publisher

MDPI AG

Subject

Health Information Management,Health Informatics,Health Policy,Leadership and Management

Reference51 articles.

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3. World Health Organization (2021, March 01). WHO and UNICEF Warn of a Decline in Vaccinations during COVID-19. Available online: https://www.who.int/news/item/15-07-2020-who-and-unicef-warn-of-a-decline-in-vaccinations-during-covid-19.

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