How Mandatory Can We Make Vaccination?

Abstract

The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has refocused attention on the issue of mandatory vaccination. Some have suggested that vaccines ought to be mandatory, while others propose more moderate alternatives, such as incentives. This piece surveys a range of possible interventions, ranging from mandates through to education. All may have their place, depending on circumstances. However, it is worth clarifying the options available to policymakers, since there is sometimes confusion over whether a particular policy constitutes a mandate or not. Further, I illustrate a different kind of alternative to mandatory vaccination. Rather than seeking less coercive alternatives to a mandate, we might instead employ an alternative mandate, which requires people to do something less than get vaccinated. For instance, we might merely require people to attend an appointment at a vaccine clinic. Whether this mandatory attendance policy is justified will depend on specific circumstances, but it represents another way to promote vaccination, without mandating it. In some cases, this may represent an appropriate balance between promoting public health goals and respecting individual liberty.

Exploring the Ethical Dimensions of Mandatory Immunization Discourse for School Attendance in Indonesia

“…From the above moral reasoning, it can be concluded that the discourse of having a mandatory immunization for school attendance would not be morally acceptable for all segments, even though the benefits are enormous to the children, society, and Indonesia's commitment to the global initiative. Promoting public health goals and respecting individual liberty must be balanced (63). Respecting people's choice, while continuously making efforts to develop people's trust, not only toward vaccines but also towards the government, actively promoting and educating the society regarding vaccine benefits and risks in every channel possible, and providing a sustainable financing and vaccine procurement in all parts of Indonesia, can be seen as keys to achieving immunization coverage.…”

Previous Vaccination History and Psychological Factors as Significant Predictors of Willingness to Receive Mpox Vaccination and a Favorable Attitude towards Compulsory Vaccination

“…A controversial strategy to promote vaccination is to introduce coercive measures that require compulsory (mandatory) vaccination [ 58 ]. This strategy has undeniable benefits in terms of achieving population immunity levels and in the prevention of outbreaks [ 59 ].…”