Ethics and childhood vaccination policy in the United States

K.S. Hendrix, L.A. Sturm, G.D. Zimet and E.M. Meslin

American Journal of Public Health, 2016, vol. 106, issue 2, 273-278

Abstract: Childhood immunization involves a balance between parents' autonomy in deciding whether to immunize their children and the benefits to public health frommandating vaccines. Ethical concerns about pediatric vaccination span several public health domains, including those of policymakers, clinicians, and other professionals. In light of ongoing developments and debates, we discuss several key ethical issues concerning childhood immunization in the United States and describe how they affect policy development and clinical practice. We focus on ethical considerations pertaining to herd immunity as a community good, vaccine communication, dismissal of vaccine-refusing families from practice, and vaccine mandates. Clinicians and policymakers need to consider the nature and timing of vaccine-related discussions and invoke deliberative approaches to policymaking.

Keywords: vaccine, attitude to health; child; Disease Outbreaks; ethics; health care policy; herd immunity; human; infant; interpersonal communication; legislation and jurisprudence; pediatrics; preschool child; treatment refusal; United States; vaccination, Child; Child, Preschool; Communication; Disease Outbreaks; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Policy; Humans; Immunity, Herd; Infant; Pediatrics; Treatment Refusal; United States; Vaccination; Vaccines (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2015.302952_2

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2015.302952

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