Review Study Question
Vaccination has become a significant issue for discussion and exploration since the pandemic. The question is a particular concern in developing countries, as local citizens do not have the constant ability to receive qualified vaccination. According to Brody (2010), treatment usage is unavailable until it complies with specific requirements. Moreover, this issue is ethically charged; regarding Brody (2010), medicine usage is morally permittable as long as no individual was refused to receive it. Hence, the problem is the availability of certified vaccination in developing countries. Accordingly, Angell (2010) claims trials can become unethical; many developing countries cannot afford the treatment unless a fixed price is set for these regions. Therefore, the second struggle arises from the expensive cost of vaccination for developing countries.
Several reasons prove the unethical attitude toward trials. For instance, as Angell (2010) states, injustice is done to the control group. It is essential to understand why Angell claims such a standpoint; the concern is in the trial procedure, where the experimental group receives treatment while the control group is left out of the trial. Consequences can be linked back to the significant problem of developing counties’ not having a sufficient budget to allow treatment for all individuals. Furthermore, according to the study, the global coverage of COVID-19 vaccination is inadequate (Afolabi et al., 2021). About 60% of individuals in high-income countries are vaccinated, while only 3% of people received the treatment in Africa; it could create statistical opacity, generating less effectiveness of vaccination (Afolabi et al., 2021, p. 2). Furthermore, the distribution of medical treatment is inequal – 90% of African countries failed to vaccinate at least 10% of their population by 2021 (Afolabi et al., 2021, p. 2). Hence, uneven vaccination coverage can attract more significant struggles, such as experimental unfairness and trial inconsistency.
Reflection
Angell expresses her opinion on the accessibility of vaccination in developing countries. Initially, the author claimed the approved ethical considerations of trials; indeed, Angell shifts to another standpoint, which assures “all participants in the study, including those in the control group,” receiving proper medicine (Angell, 2010, p. 299). Angell’s point includes consideration of side effects provided by local vaccinations, proving the need for certified treatment. It relates to the availability and justification of vaccination for all individuals, avoiding unequal trials. Moreover, the ethics of patient consent underlie the struggle; for example, Angell (2010) denotes that a few participants voluntarily join the experiment. This response is reflected in work, which expresses that clinical trials sacrifice patients’ interests for the sake of the experiment and social benefits (Brody, 2010). In addition, Brody’s opinion links the statements; he argues that the treatment should become available for all participants, including experimental and control groups; otherwise, the trial is exploitative (Brody, 2010). Both authors shifted their initial opinions due to the realization of the placebo effect, control group injustice, and limitations that can deprive large pools of people of approved vaccination.
It is vital to understand additional complications; although multiple governmental programs strive to provide vaccination worldwide, some participants can struggle with it. High hesitancy in developing countries is connected with citizens’ low income, unawareness, and religious beliefs. For example, 89% of people in Niger and 86% of individuals in Liberia claim that prayer is more effective than a vaccine (Seydou, 2021, p. 2). The large majority of individuals are not ready to receive vaccines; thus, for now, a significant part of experimental trials is unjustified and unethical.
References
Afolabi, M. O., Wariri, O., Saidu, Y., Otu, A., Omoleke, S. A., Ebenso, B., Adebiyi, A., Ooko, M., Ahinkorah, B. O., Ameyaw, E. K., Seidu, A. A., Agogo, E., Nomhwange, T., Salami, K., Mohammed, N. I., & Yaya, S. (2021). Tracking the uptake and trajectory of COVID-19 vaccination coverage in 15 West African countries: An interim analysis.BMJ Global Health, 6(12), 1-9.
Angell, M. (2010). The ethics of clinical research in the third world. In Bioethics: Principles, issues, and cases. Oxford University Press.
Brody, B. (2010). Ethical issues in clinical trials in developing countries. In Bioethics: Principles, issues, and cases. Oxford University Press.
Seydou, A. (2021). Who wants COVID-19 vaccination? In 5 West African countries, hesitancy is high, trust low. Afrobarometer Dispatch, 432, 1-13.