Vaccine Ethics: Ethical Considerations in Childhood Vaccination

Abstract

The vaccination of children raises a host of unique ethical issues. This chapter considers the moral status of vaccination drawing on various arguments and ethical perspectives and explores policy implications of the moral implications of vaccines. Vaccination is at once an individual medical decision for a child and a public health intervention with broader implications for society. Arguments are presented that draw on the best interest standard, the unfairness of free riding a public good, utilitarianism, and theories of justice. All these arguments ground vaccination as a moral imperative, something that ought to be guaranteed for children. Because vaccination is morally obligatory, clear policy implications can be defined. Society must guarantee sufficient access to vaccines and must adopt policies to ensure adequate uptake of vaccination. Clinicians have an important role to play in addressing parental concerns, building trust relationships with parents, and encouraging the uptake of vaccination.