Anti-vaxxers have questioned the safety, effectiveness and necessity of vaccinations since the 19th Century. But, what happens when the freedom to choose does not solely affect the life of the individual making the choice? This was made clear in a Law and Order SVU episode, selfish. In this essay, I will argue that the Monica’s choice not to vaccinate her child was morally impermissible at the time. In doing so, I will integrate this week’s readings into the discussion and comment on how my response to the moral impermissibility of Monica’s act informs my view about mandatory vaccination laws and the legal consequences for non-compliant individuals. In the United States, each state establishes under what circumstances an exemption can be made for not receiving a vaccination. More generally, there are two …show more content…
While no legal case for holding an individual liable for failing to vaccinate a child exists (that is known of), a case can be made for charging an individual for criminal liability under criminal negligent homicide. This was the charge given to Monica in the Law and Order episode. While Monica was found not guilty, Caplan has identified that in theory, an individual can be held liable (civil or criminal) for the death of another even under “state law permitting exemptions” (2012, 610). Although legal consequences are an option for non-complying individuals, as I have said, mandatory vaccination should be the last option for increasing vaccinations. We should also think about whether there are other ways for enforcing mandatory vaccination laws besides looking at criminal or civil liability (e.g. heavy fines until the individual gets vaccinated, community service
Therefore, when making a decision on whether or not to adopt a mandatory flu vaccine policy, health care workers would consider carefully about the state law, employment contract about the issue, and whether you have a legal right to an exemption from the policy
Requiring vaccinations is a highly debatable topic in the United States today. An article by Ronald Bayer, “The continuing tensions between individual rights and public health,” is one of the most reliable sources in the case study. The author has a PhD from the University of Chicago and focuses his research on issues of social justice and ethical matters. Bayer has also previously been a consultant to the World Health Organization on ethical issues related to public health. This makes him very knowledgeable about the topic and a highly credible source.
California is the only state to require, by law, everyone to receive a vaccination. There are 47 states states allow adults and children to be exempt from receiving vaccinations because of their beliefs. There are 19 states that allow a person not to get vaccinated based on their philosophical reasons. If there is a family that believes they do not need to be vaccinated because they do not think the vaccine is safe, they do not have to get vaccinated. If a family’s religious beliefs go against getting vaccinated, they do not have to get vaccinated.
It is important for all people to be vaccinated to protect themselves from contracting communicable diseases, from spreading these diseases, and from the high cost of treating these preventable diseases. It would make sense to do so. No one wants to contract diseases, or be laid up if they can prevent it. Getting vaccinated will prevent anyone from spreading contracted diseases to others. It can also be very costly when trying to treating a communicable disease that could have been prevented with a vaccine.
Vaccination rules need to be changed to prevent a major outbreak of several or one diseases. The CDC can reduce the number of unvaccinated children by creating strict rules that parents must follow. Therefore; the vaccines will be technically forced upon the child if needed and given proper
The article “Five Important Reasons to Vaccinate Your Child” reasons that “Some diseases that once injured or killed thousands of children, have been eliminated completely and others are close to extinction– primarily due to safe and effective vaccines”. Because of vaccines the world today as we know it is slowly becoming safer as more and more diseases are being eradicated. The U.S. has helped in their own way to get rid of diseases. The article “Should Any Vaccines Be Required for Children?” states that “In 1855 Massachusetts passed the first U.S. state law mandating vaccinations for schoolchildren [5], followed by New York (1862), Connecticut (1872), Indiana (1881), and Arkansas (1882).” So as the years went on the U.S. has continually integrated vaccinations for the youth, in this case, it is needed in order to attend
Regardless, there is no retributive justice, or punishment for those who choose not to vaccinate. The government understands that the goals of the community may not resonate with every family, and they are willing to make exemptions. The incredible accessibility of the vaccination program and the numerous resources demonstrates a clear will to enable everyone to vaccinate their
This lack of vaccine administering allows the reemergence of infectious diseases to occur. These reemerging diseases pose a great risk to vulnerable populations and public health. It is in the best interest of public health workers to have anyone who needs to be vaccinated be vaccinated. However, the anti-vaccine campaign and its influential members do create a huge barrier for public health vaccination goals. Influential anti-vaccine campaign supporters, such as Lea Thompson, fuel the fire to these
Required Immunity Mandatory vaccinations for children in public schools have been the center of much debate since laws were first developed to regulate immunization. Fears from parents about side effects and adverse reactions have steered many away from wanting to vaccinate their children despite the numerous infectious diseases they prevent. These debates have gotten in the way of progression in schools for preventing the spread of disease. To me, the risks of not vaccinating children are far greater than the risks of adverse reactions.
Vaccines are like traffic lights; they ensure the safety of the public, be in heavily crowded areas, like schools, or densely trafficked roads. Traffic lights only work when all people follow the rules. If a car runs a red light, the car runs the risk of killing innocent pedestrians who are complying with the prescribed rules. Vaccines, if not utilized by most people, are ineffective. Even though some parents are concerned over the safety of vaccines, children who go to public schools should not be granted exemptions because vaccines are necessary to prevent outbreaks, children who do not receive vaccines are at risk of disease, and medically compromised children rely on vaccines to prevent disease.
How likely is it for a child to get a disease? “Statistically, the chance of your child getting a vaccine-preventable disease may be relatively low. You are making a wager” (Childhood 1). Mainly, parents don’t want their children to be vaccinated in order to attend public school or tend to lack taking them on time to get the shots. A vaccination is being introduced to the body which will then produce an immunity to a specific disease.
If vaccination is mandated, the majority of the human population will be protected from contracting a specific disease. Thus, this will ensure that the disease will be unable to spread, as there is no carrier to facilitate the infection. Mandatory vaccination will also ensure that the general population stays vaccinated. Take measles for example; 16 years ago, the transmission of measles in the U.S was declared over. However, as more parents opt out from getting measles vaccination for their children, outbreaks of measles have been reported across the states of U.S. in the year of
Vaccinations When it comes to vaccinations, there are many different opinions on immunizing a child, especially when that child’s parent has a strong like or dislike towards vaccinating. Immunizations have existed for at least a thousand years and as technology advances more, there are new vaccines being designed to help protect our children from contracting contagious and sometimes deadly diseases, such as Bordetella pertussis, polio, and even influenza. For decades, all 50 states have required that parents vaccinate their children against various diseases, including polio and measles, as a prerequisite to enrolling them in public schools (Ciolli, 2008). Enrollment in public school requires up to date vaccinations in order to protect the children and even the adults from contracting and spreading a disease, possibly causing an epidemic.
I would have to side with the requirement that vaccinations should be mandatory because it is not just the health of a single individual but the health of the entire human civilization. As a Christian, I believe that vaccinations help our health. They are something that God has given us. We should use them to our best knowledge to help our body. Although, I see the reasoning behind not requiring vaccinations.
Child Vaccinations Throughout the years there has been an increase in the debate on child vaccinations. People have been debating on whether vaccinations for children at young ages is generally safe. There are numerous organizations throughout the United States that deal with child vaccinations. Some people comprehend that child vaccinations damage a child’s body more than they help it, others think different.