Ethical considerations

• Who should not have vaccinations?

  People who are:

  • immunocompromised (e.g. if the spleen is faulty and the immune system does not function normally)
  • taking chemotherapy
  • living with HIV/AIDS
  • very old
  • very ill in hospital
• What are some reasons for choosing not to be vaccinated?

  • religious objections
  • preference for 'natural' or 'alternative' medicine
  • mistrust of pharmaceutical companies who manufacture the vaccine
  • safety fears
• How is cost effectiveness considered when creating vaccines?

  • benefits must outweigh the costs
  • for dangerous conditions (e.g. measles), vaccination for all is advised
  • for milder conditions (e.g. influenza), it is only recommended for target groups such as old people to be vaccinated
• What are the policies for compulsory or voluntary vaccination?

  • UK policy: The government cannot infringe on the right of the individual to choose what medication to take
  • complications arise with the issue of vaccination for healthcare workers, as they have a duty not to harm others, which may be contravened if they are not vaccinated
• What are the issues with side effects for vaccinations?

  Common side effects include:

  • soreness at the injection site
  • fever
  • fatigue
  • muscle/joint pain

  Serious side effects are extremely rare, but the attention they get in the mass media makes them seem more common than they really are