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Cited by 51Vaccine Coverage and HesitancyEthics and bioethics in healthcareEthics and Legal Issues in Pediatric Healthcare

Ethical Issues Concerning Vaccination Requirements

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Amin, Alvin Nelson El, Parra, Michelle T., Kim-Farley, Robert, Fielding, Jonathan E.·2012·Public Health Reviews
DOI 10.1007/bf03391666
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Abstract

Vaccinations are one of public health’s greatest achievements. However, an ethical dilemma lies in the balance of personal autonomy and choice versus protection of the entire at risk population. Vaccines have become readily available in most parts of the world, yet debates continue as to the appropriateness of requirements for vaccinations, including legal mandates of vaccinations during public health emergencies and more routinely for school entry. This paper addresses ethical issues concerning vaccination requirements in the context of historical as well as current immunization program activities. Five important programmatic focus areas for immunization programs are identified for minimizing conflicts among the relevant ethical principles when developing and implementing vaccination requirements; namely: 1) reviewing and evaluating current vaccination mandates in the relevant health jurisdiction; 2) increasing the use of non-compulsory vaccination strategies; 3) addressing parent/guardian vaccine safety concerns; 4) enhancing public awareness of vaccine-preventable disease risks; and 5) promoting a better public understanding of herd immunity. We suggest that strengthening these programmatic focus areas can lead to a greater public acceptance of vaccination requirements.

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  • Public health emergencies create ethical and legal quandaries as policymakers must determine when risks to the public justify restrictions on individual rights and how to navigate necessary departures from standard frameworks.

    “Public health emergencies create ethical and legal quandaries as policymakers are required to determine when risks to the public justify restrictions on individual rights (El Amin, et al. 2012), how to navigate necessary departures from standard frameworks to protect the public, and by what means (El Amin, et al. 2012).”

    From Ethical Principles in Legal Context: Vaccine Mandates During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Australia (2026) · cites this paper as El Amin, et al. 2012

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Authors
Amin, A. N. E., Parra, M. T., Kim-Farley, R., & Fielding, J. E.
Affiliations
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (US)
Corresponding author
Amin, Alvin Nelson El
ORCID
Kim-Farley, Robert
Venue
Public Health Reviews
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2012-06
Volume
34
Issue
1
ISSN
  • 0301-0422 (ISSN-L)
  • 2107-6952
DOI
10.1007/bf03391666
OpenAlex
W2208903905
Cited by
51
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 4 · 2012: 1
FWCI
4.03
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
Public health reviews (publishedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Health › Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Ethics and bioethics in healthcare
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Ethics and Legal Issues in Pediatric Healthcare
Keywords
vaccination requirements, mandatory vaccination, vaccine ethics, individual autonomy, herd immunity, school entry requirements, public health emergencies, immunization programs, vaccine safety concerns, vaccine-preventable diseases

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