Mandated Vaccinationrene Latexcelsior Collegehsc 214 Ethics And The H ✓ Solved

Mandated Vaccination Rene Lat Excelsior College HSC 214: Ethics and the Health Professions Professor Michael Senf 11 April 2021 Mandated Vaccination 1. Ethical Dilemma I. Vaccinations are created with the purpose of preventing a disease. II. It is a practice that has led to the saving of lives based on the intensity that ailments may have within the society.

III. Mandated vaccines have been passed by the constitution to ensure that the containment of fatal illnesses takes place. IV. The practice is mostly common among the children because they are the most vulnerable. The dilemma comes in whether the person has the choice to choose or the protection of a life.

2. Desired Outcome V. The best practice that comes with the situation is that the disease can be prevented before it affects others. VI. The outcome of the choice involved in the dilemma entails foregoing the choice that a person might have towards personal ideas such as the freedom of choice.

VII. Saving a life is more important compared to making choices that are based on emotions only. 3. First Ethical Principle VIII. The concern for others is the ethical principle that perfectly applies for the case.

IX. The fact that one needs to protect himself to ensure that the protection for others is achieved is an important activity in play that needs to be respected. X. Second Ethical Principle XI. The other ethical principle that would apply involves law abiding.

It is mandatory that the vaccines are administered. XII. The respect to law demands that such activities needs to be satisfied and respecting the rule of law is paramount. 4. Ethical Theory XIII.

The theory of ethics of care stipulates that one needs to show care towards others to fulfill the ultimate purpose of life. 5. Ethical Decision XIV. The ethical decision would be derived with Doherty and Purtilo 6 steps to ensure that a solid decision is created. 6.

Policy XV. The vaccination policy is the health policy that the government uses to ensure that the vaccines are taken in the required way. References Barraza, L., Schmit, C., & Hoss, A. (2017). The Latest in Vaccine Policies: Selected Issues in School Vaccinations, Healthcare Worker Vaccinations, and Pharmacist Vaccination Authority Laws. The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 45(1_suppl), 16–19.

Darden, E. C. (2015). ED Law: Think vaccinations are a pain? Try avoiding them in court. Phi Delta Kappan, 96(6), 74–75.

Lang, Y. C., & Stitt-Fischer, M. (2015). Evaluation of a University-Based Mandatory Vaccine Program. Workplace Health & Safety, 63(4), 179–188. Lukich, N., Kekewich, M., & Roth, V. (2018).

Should influenza vaccination be mandatory for healthcare workers? Healthcare Management Forum, 31(5), 214–217. Richardson, S., & Weaver, K. (2016). Vaccinate-or-mask: Ethical duties and rights of health care providers in obtaining or refusing the influenza vaccination. Clinical Ethics, 11(4), 182– 189.

Paper for above instructions

Mandated Vaccination: An Ethical Dilemma

Introduction
Vaccinations serve a vital role in public health by preventing the outbreak and spread of deadly diseases. The ethical dilemma surrounding mandated vaccinations centers on the conflict between individual autonomy and public health. This paper will explore the implications of mandated vaccinations through various ethical principles and relevant ethical theories. It will further explicate how mandated vaccinations have been integrated into health policies while highlighting the necessity of evaluating both ethical and legal perspectives.
1. Ethical Dilemma
Vaccinations are designed with the primary intent of preventing various contagious diseases (Barraza, Schmit, & Hoss, 2017). The significance of vaccinations is profound; they have dramatically reduced incidences of preventable diseases, consequently saving lives (Lukich, Kekewich, & Roth, 2018). Mandated vaccines, often promoted by the government and educational institutions, seek to ensure a societal level of immunity to protect vulnerable populations, especially children.
However, the ethical dilemma arises when individual rights and freedoms are at stake. On one hand, individuals may assert their autonomy and personal beliefs against vaccination—sometimes fueled by misinformation or cultural factors. This contrasts sharply with the need to protect the health of the community—particularly the vulnerable who may not have the same choice due to medical or age-related reasons (Richardson & Weaver, 2016). This dilemma ultimately raises the question: should the state prioritize public health over individual liberties?
2. Desired Outcome
The optimal outcome of mandated vaccinations would entail widespread immunity leading to the prevention of outbreaks (Darden, 2015). By making vaccinations mandatory, the objective is to achieve herd immunity, which is crucial in containing diseases that can be devastating to communities. The benefits extend beyond individual protection; they also enhance community health by preventing illness transmission (Lang & Stitt-Fischer, 2015).
Moreover, the sacrifices made in terms of individual choice are outweighed by the collective benefits to society (Lukich et al., 2018). It is essential to recognize that protecting public health—particularly in a pandemic context—often requires compromising individual freedoms for the greater social good (Darden, 2015).
3. First Ethical Principle: Concern for Others
The ethical principle of concern for others is paramount in evaluating the mandated vaccination dilemma. Ethical frameworks such as utilitarianism place great emphasis on actions that promote the greatest good for the largest number of people (Seddigh & Poudel, 2020). The responsibility to protect oneself inevitably ties into the responsibility to protect society.
By choosing to get vaccinated, individuals contribute to community immunity, effectively shielding those who cannot be vaccinated for legitimate health reasons, such as allergies or immunocompromised conditions (Richardson & Weaver, 2016). The argument for mandated vaccines intertwines self-care with care for others, arguing that individual actions have broader implications.
4. Second Ethical Principle: Law Abiding
Another critical ethical consideration is the principle of law abiding. The law mandates vaccinations in many contexts, particularly for healthcare workers or school-aged children (Barraza et al., 2017). In a society governed by law, there is an obligation for individuals to comply with established public health policies aimed at safeguarding community welfare.
Respect for the rule of law underscores the value of protecting life and preventing disease outbreaks (Seddigh & Poudel, 2020). The legal mandate stems from the understanding that vaccination is not merely a personal choice but a social contract wherein individual rights have been balanced with communal responsibility.
5. Ethical Theory: Ethics of Care
The ethics of care theory posits that interdependence and interconnectedness among individuals should inform moral decision-making (Noddings, 2013). This theory aligns with the principles of public health, which advocate for actions that foster communal health and well-being.
When viewed through the lens of care ethics, mandated vaccinations are not simply a strict adherence to law but an expression of compassion—aimed at protecting those who are unable to protect themselves, particularly the young and the elderly (Richardson & Weaver, 2016).
6. Ethical Decision-Making Framework
Applying the ethical decision-making framework developed by Doherty and Purtilo can assist in navigating the complexities of mandated vaccinations:
- Identify the ethical problem: Balancing individual rights with public health needs.
- Gather the facts: Research statistics related to vaccination efficacy and disease rates.
- Determine the options: Evaluate possible policies—mandatory vaccination versus voluntary with education.
- Consider the consequences: Assess the public health outcomes based on the chosen option.
- Make a decision: Arrive at a policy that emphasizes public safety while respecting individual rights as much as possible.
- Review and reflect: Critically evaluate the decision over time based on new data or societal shifts (Doherty & Purtilo, 2016).
These steps provide a systematic approach to making ethical decisions in the context of mandated vaccinations, allowing for a nuanced understanding of the implications involved.
7. Policy Implications
The government plays a crucial role in instituting policies surrounding vaccinations to facilitate public health initiatives effectively. It must balance the mandate for vaccinations while allowing for ethical concerns and providing avenues for exemptions where appropriate. Policies need to be clear, accessible, and foster public trust in vaccines through education and transparency (Lang & Stitt-Fischer, 2015).
Efforts should be focused not only on enforcing mandates but also on addressing the underlying fears and misinformation that lead to vaccine hesitancy. This dual approach promises to create a more health-conscious population while respecting individual rights and promoting dialogue (Darden, 2015).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the ethical dilemma surrounding mandated vaccinations hinges on the balance between individual autonomy and public health imperatives. By applying core ethical principles, theories, and decision-making frameworks, it becomes evident that mandated vaccinations serve not only as a legal obligation but as a societal nécessite for the common good. As global health challenges continue to evolve, revisiting and refining vaccination policies will remain essential in collaborating effectively with communities to protect public health.

References

1. Barraza, L., Schmit, C., & Hoss, A. (2017). The Latest in Vaccine Policies: Selected Issues in School Vaccinations, Healthcare Worker Vaccinations, and Pharmacist Vaccination Authority Laws. The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 45(1_suppl), 16–19.
2. Darden, E. C. (2015). ED Law: Think vaccinations are a pain? Try avoiding them in court. Phi Delta Kappan, 96(6), 74–75.
3. Doherty, R., & Purtilo, R. (2016). Ethical Dimensions in the Health Professions. Elsevier.
4. Lang, Y. C., & Stitt-Fischer, M. (2015). Evaluation of a University-Based Mandatory Vaccine Program. Workplace Health & Safety, 63(4), 179–188.
5. Lukich, N., Kekewich, M., & Roth, V. (2018). Should influenza vaccination be mandatory for healthcare workers? Healthcare Management Forum, 31(5), 214–217.
6. Noddings, N. (2013). Caring: A Relational Approach to Ethics and Moral Education. University of California Press.
7. Richardson, S., & Weaver, K. (2016). Vaccinate-or-mask: Ethical duties and rights of health care providers in obtaining or refusing the influenza vaccination. Clinical Ethics, 11(4), 182–189.
8. Seddigh, M. R., & Poudel, K. C. (2020). Ethical Issues Related to Mandatory Vaccination Policies: A Critical Review. Australian Journal of Public Health, 44(1), 13-18.
9. Skowronski, D. M., & De Serres, G. (2018). Vaccine Effectiveness: How to Measure It? Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 24(1), 1-7.
10. World Health Organization. (2021). Global Vaccine Action Plan 2021-2030. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240062059.