Robinson-Bean 8
Robinson-Bean 2
Kimberly Robinson-Bean
Mr. Anthony Daniels
English 120
July 18, 2021
Vaccinations Should Be a Choice
Since their founding, vaccinations have played a central role in the prevention of epidemics and mass fatalities. In recent years vaccinations have become popular based on their effectiveness, and so has the anti-vaccination campaign based on the misconceptions and uncertainties associated with vaccinations (Lemons, & CQ Press, 2016). However, the debatable topic on whether vaccinations should be mandatory or voluntary has caused a huge divide among the public. The proponents of compulsory vaccinations assert that it is an effective way of promoting public health and preventing epidemics. On the contrary, the opponents of mandatory vaccinations claim that every person has the right to decide whether they should be vaccinated or not. Hence, mandatory vaccination is a form of violation of fundamental human rights that should not be allowed. The debate on compulsory vaccination has escalated during this COVID 19 era (Issitt, 2021). Some critics argue that the coronavirus vaccine is associated with monetary gains instead of public health concerns. Besides, some people would not want to receive the vaccine because of safety concerns and the implications of such vaccines. Vaccinations are unarguably an effective approach against disease prevention and promote public health, but they should be voluntarily sought and not mandatory as forcing vaccinations on the public will infringe their liberty to make decisions and other constitutional rights.
It is essential to understand the science behind the controversial topic of vaccinations. The body has an immune system that recognizes and fights pathogens or antigens by releasing antibodies (Davidson, 2019). However, the immune system might not work fast enough to combat pathogens introduced to the body for the first time, explaining why some diseases might be life-threatening. Vaccines teach the body to recognize and quickly react against harmful pathogens and prevent fatalities. Vaccines have the same but weakened or dead antigens as the pathogens, and once introduced into the body, the immune system will respond by attacking the antigens (Allen, 2021). Vaccinations are not treatments but rather defense mechanisms or preventative strategies against future diseases caused by harmful bacteria or viruses. The proponents of anti-vaccination assert that the body is best prepared in its immune system to fight diseases.
Most countries, including the United States, are faced with increased skepticism and opposition to mandatory vaccinations. Mandatory vaccinations might be effective in disease prevention, but they are not universally accepted as the coercive approach infringes on individual rights. Freedom, justice, and equity could not be attained through mandatory vaccination. Now, vaccinations are associated with uncertainties, fears, and public distrust, which could be further aggravated by using coercive measures to administer the vaccines (Issitt, 2021). Mandatory vaccination might contribute to improved public health but, on the contrary, would cause public strife. Adult populations are against recommended vaccinations, and the opposition may increase if the vaccinations are mandatory. The public and even some healthcare providers have concerns and misperceptions related to vaccinations, especially among children (Lemons, & CQ Press, 2016). Increasing opposition and vaccination hesitancy would most probably impact the effectiveness of vaccinations. The solution to the vaccination opposition should not be through coercion by making them mandatory but instead, provide the vaccinations to willing people. Voluntary vaccination will also raise awareness on the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing diseases as opposed to the current controversies and politics surrounding the topic.
Medical ethics entail the patients’ right to informed consent and individual autonomy when making decisions that could be derailed through mandatory vaccinations. The American constitution protects people’ right to liberty and autonomy when making decisions, including whether or not to get vaccinated (Lemons & CQ Press, 2016). Coercive vaccination measures would be depriving citizens of their rights to making individual autonomy decisions and the right to privacy. Every citizen deserves to exercise their right of liberty to decide what is right for them, including medication. The government and other policymakers should therefore not infringe the right to liberty by issuing mandatory vaccinations. Statistics show that anti-vaccination support has been growing in recent years. The anti-vaccination campaign is supported mainly by parents, religious leaders, and politicians (Issitt, 2021). Mandatory childhood vaccination is mostly opposed as the children are under the care and protection of their guardians. Instead of enforcing mandatory vaccinations, the government should raise awareness and provide essential education about vaccinations to aid parents, patients, and the public in making informed decisions. Voluntary vaccinations would also quench the increasing misconceptions and concerns associated with vaccinations (Issitt, 2021). Besides, even if the vaccinations would be mandatory, their enforcement would not be effective in the wake of widespread mistrust and misconceptions. Mandatory vaccinations could be viewed as a way for the government and other policymakers to repress the vaccine safety concerns of the public and would, in turn, lead to even stronger resistance. Mandatory vaccinations could also be infringing on the freedom of expression rights (Issitt, 2021).
Vaccinations should not be mandatory based on the concept of herd immunity. The people who willingly got vaccinated will also protect other non-immunized people. However, the percentage of people vaccinated for herd immunity to work differs in the different diseases (Lemons & CQ Press, 2016). Therefore, individuals should not be forced to be immunized since those who volunteer will protect entire populations. Making vaccinations voluntary would still achieve the same goals as mandatory vaccinations. The voluntary vaccination approach is more effective since, through herd immunity, even non-immunized populations will still be protected while at the same time avoiding the current controversies associated with mandatory vaccinations. The concept of herd immunity applies to safeguard vulnerable populations not eligible for vaccinations, such as infants and pregnant women (Allen, 2021). Correspondingly, the idea of herd immunity will protect even those unwilling to be volunteered, emphasizing the importance of abolishing mandatory vaccinations. Some people might not opt for vaccinations based on their cultural and religious beliefs. The decisions of such individuals should be protected despite the possible dangers they might pose to the public. It is understood that mandatory vaccinations are meant for the common good, but it will not be justified if the means used are wrong. A good deed would still be looked upon as bad, especially if it is forced on unwilling people.
Mandatory vaccination programs operate on the assumption that they would increase access to healthcare services and protection among disadvantaged populations such as ethnic minorities and poor financial backgrounds. The assumption that the availability of mandatory vaccines would be on an equal basis is often not attained (Davidson, 2019). Efficient vaccinations often do not meet the entire population demands, and priority is given to the affluent members of the society at the expense of the impoverished masses. A vaccine shortage would also result in high medication costs that most people would not meet, contributing to inequalities. It would be double agony for the disadvantaged communities who have already suffered a lot in an unjust social system by being forced to have mandatory vaccinations (Allen, 2021). The marginalized and underprivileged communities deserve to be treated with the dignity and equality they deserve instead of being forced into mandatory vaccinations. The anti-vaccination proponents argue that mandatory vaccinations could be unjust and biased since every person cannot afford healthcare costs. For example, the current COVID 19 vaccine is quite expensive when procured by an individual. Developing countries have also received huge loans and donations to acquire COVID 19 vaccines and other related expenses (Issitt, 2021). So, making vaccinations mandatory in the current economic crisis could create a disadvantage for some people. Vaccines should be available and cheap, if not free, but they should not be mandatory. Vaccinations could be associated with adverse side effects to some people who deserve to not be forced to be vaccinated. As mentioned, vaccinations are a form of a disease introduced to the body to prepare the immune system if it faces similar bacteria or viruses in the future. Some people might react negatively to the vaccinations and cause more harm than good to the victims.
The proponents of mandatory vaccination emphasize its importance through the adage prevention is better than cure. It is best to prevent a disease rather than treating the disease that could also lead to fatalities. The benefits of vaccinations outweigh their possible shortcomings emphasizing the importance of every person, especially children, to get vaccinated regardless of whether it is mandatory (Allen, 2021). Children are the most vulnerable populations to the implications of diseases since they have a low immune system. Therefore, it is the responsibility of every parent and guardian to protect future generations through vaccinations. The constitutionality of compulsory vaccinations has been challenged in courts in the past, but the court ruled in their favor. For example, in Prince v. Massachusetts, the court ruled that compulsory vaccines did not infringe the freedom of religion (Davidson, 2019). Significantly, it should be noted that vaccinations are not opposed but what is opposed is mandatory vaccinations. As mentioned, the benefits of vaccinations are inarguable, but that should not be used to force the vaccines onto others.
In conclusion, mandatory vaccinations are associated with many controversies, mistrust, and misconceptions explaining why they should be opposed. The purpose of vaccinations is to promote public health but doing so should not infringe on individual liberty and autonomy rights. Mandatory vaccinations might promote public health, but they are rendered unjust and unethical if they infringe on basic human rights. Vaccinations are associated with safety concerns that should be addressed through sensitization and awareness instead of coercive policies that increase vaccination resistance. Besides, vaccinations are associated with inequality and injustices against marginalized and vulnerable populations. The costs related to vaccinations further contribute to the increased opposition to mandatory vaccinations. The anti-vaccination scope has grown over the years perpetuated by parents, guardians, religious leaders, and politicians. Significantly, the essay does not deny the effectiveness of vaccinations but instead disapproves of coercive measures. The government and policymakers should focus on transparency and educating the public on the benefits of vaccinations instead of coercive measures. Lastly, vaccinations effectively promote public health, but the mandatory vaccination approach should not be adopted as it is associated with more controversies and setbacks, including infringing fundamental human rights, inequality, and injustices.
References
Allen, J. (2021). Vaccine wars: When science and politics collide. San Diego, CA: ReferencePoint Press, Inc.
Davidson, T. (2019). The vaccine debate. Santa Barbara, California: Greenwood, an imprint of ABC-CLIO, LLC.
Issitt, M. L. (2021). Diseases & epidemics. Amenia, NY: Grey House Publishing.
Lemons, J. F., & CQ Press. (2016). Vaccine controversies: Should parents be required to immunize their children?. Washington DC: CQ Press.
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