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Lone Star College System, Woodlands *

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347

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Philosophy

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Jan 9, 2024

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docx

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1 The Good Outweighs the Bad Caitlin Thomas Chamberlain University PHIL 347: Critical Reasoning Dr. Barkauskas November 19, 2023

2 Dilemma: Mandatory Vaccinations Mandatory vaccinations should be implemented in public institutions like schools, hospitals, and businesses to ensure herd immunity and protect public health. This is crucial in preventing the spread of preventable diseases, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic Giublilini et al. (2018). Aspect 1: Public Safety VS Individual Autonomy PROS: Public Health Protection and Improved Outcomes Herd immunity occurs when a significant portion of a population becomes immune to a disease, making its spread unlikely (Nies & McEwin, 2019). This not only protects those who are vaccinated but also those who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons. Ethical principles suggest limiting bodily autonomy to prevent harm to others, which is a fundamental aspect of public health ethics (Pierik, R., 2018). Cons: Infringement of Rights Mandatory vaccinations raise ethical concerns as they can infringe on patients' rights to autonomy and consent, and promote social inequalities. Medical ethics uphold the principle of autonomy, implying that individuals have the right to make informed decisions about their healthcare. (Rachels & Rachels, 2019) Mandatory vaccination policies violate this principle as they force individuals to undergo a medical intervention without consent, even though vaccines are generally safe and effective, they carry some risks (Navin & Largent, 2017). Aspect 2: Social Justice and Equity Pros: May Promote Social Justice and Health Equity

3 Mandatory vaccinations promote social justice by ensuring equal access to vaccines, leading to fairer health outcomes and reducing the disproportionate impact of infectious diseases on vulnerable populations (Mello et al., 2019). Con: May Exacerbate Social Inequalities Mandatory vaccination policies can worsen existing inequalities as certain groups may have limited access to healthcare and face challenges in accessing vaccines. This makes it difficult for them to comply with mandatory vaccination policies, hindering their access to public institutions. (Orgera & Artiga, 2018). Aspect 3: Effects On Societal Perceptions of Health Pros: Improving Productivity in Institutions Enforcing COVID-19 vaccinations at work can reduce infection risk, promote a healthier environment, and ensure business continuity. It can also help achieve herd immunity. (Betsch et al., 2020) CON: Resistance and Discrimination Many institutions, hospitals, and universities require COVID-19 vaccinations, but this has caused resistance from some due to personal beliefs, health concerns, or fear of side effects. There are also concerns about discrimination against those who cannot get vaccinated due to socioeconomic, medical, or religious reasons (Draper et al., 2021). Conclusion Mandatory vaccinations are a complex ethical issue. Some argue that they're unethical, while others believe the benefits to public health justify them. Ethical principles suggest that

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4 bodily autonomy can be limited to prevent harm to others. From various viewpoints, mandatory vaccinations are ethical and should be implemented in public institutions.

5 References: Betsch, C., Wieler, L. H., & Habersaat, K. (2020). We are monitoring behavioral insights related to COVID-19. The Lancet, 395(10232), 1255-1256 https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30729-7/fulltext Giubilini, A., Douglas, T., & Savulescu, J. (2018). The moral obligation to be vaccinated: utilitarianism, contractualism, and collective easy rescue . Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy, 21(4), 547-560. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6267229/ Mello, M. M., Silverman, R. D., & Omer, S. B. (2019). Ensuring uptake of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. The New England Journal of Medicine, 383(14), 1296 1299. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMp2020926 Navin, M. C., & Largent, M. A. (2017). Improving nonmedical vaccine exemption policies: Three case studies. Public Health Ethics, 10(3), 225-234. https://doi.org/10.1093/phe/phw047 Nies, M. A., & McEwen, M. (2019). Community/public health nursing: Promoting the health of populations (7th ed.). Saunders. Orgera, K., & Artiga S. (2018) Disparities in health and health care: five key questions and answers. Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. https://www.kff.org/disparitiespolicy/issue-brief/disparities-in-health-and-health-care five-key-questions-and-answers/ . Pierik, R. (2018). Mandatory vaccination: an unqualified defense . The Journal of Applied Philosophy, 35(2), 381-398. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/japp.12215

6 Rachels, S., & Rachels, J. (2019). The elements of moral philosophy (9th ed. ). Mcgraw-Hill Education.

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