Introduction
In a country, it is the government’s priority to protect citizens from possible new strains of diseases. To achieve this objective, public health advocates for vaccination exercises across populations to improve people’s immunity. Over the years, diseases such as measles, diphtheria, and tetanus have been controlled through immunization. Recently, people have become resistant to taking vaccines following loss of confidence in the practice (De Figueiredo et al., 2020). To curb the incident, governments have enacted different laws to compel individuals to be vaccinated. The presentation will focus on the vaccination issue, considering parents’ right to decide about their children’s immunization.
Historical Overview of Individual’s Right to Vaccination
In the US, people used to enjoy the freedom and autonomy to make decisions concerning healthcare for themselves and on behalf of their children. However, in recent years, there has been a significant adjustment on the right that guarantees parents the ability to make choices for their young ones. Various factors, including legal, political, religious, and even cultural beliefs, have contributed immensely to the evolution (Badar, 2021). The controversy is associated with the issue of abortion and vaccination.
The right to decide on healthcare issues began officially in 1965. The facet came after the Griswold v. Connecticut case of 1965, where the US Supreme Court suggested that the American Constitution allows each person to make the decision (Ayers, 2021). Following the court’s design to grant individuals freedom of medication, several legal challenges were then directed to the US government concerning the various restrictions. In 1973, the landmark decision of Roe v. Wade enhanced individuals’ freedom.
In previous years, the focus of individual healthcare rights majorly was on abortion; however, in recent years, the debate has shifted to the aspect of vaccination. This aspect is caused by the rising cases of vaccine-preventable diseases across the globe. For instance, in the US, the outbreak of COVID-19 raised a significant concern following the demand by the government to enhance immunization. Most states have passed laws supporting vaccination. The regulations required children to be vaccinated before attending school. Various people are against the laws citing violation of rights to individual healthcare.
The aspect of misinformation has fueled mistrust in medical practices, which has negatively affected the vaccine mandate. Based on the anti-vaccines argument, immunization can cause severe health concerns such as autism. This belief has made many people oppose the US government’s call to vaccinate people. Despite activists’ demand against vaccination, the emergence of COVID-19 prompted the government to demand immediate vaccination of healthcare workers. The approach aimed to lower the spread of the virus across the country. Several scientific findings posit a positive correlation between vaccination and disease prevention.
States that Require Vaccinations
Recently, a significant number of states in the US have required vaccination. About 25 states demand their employees be vaccinated; out of the 25 states, 21 require healthcare workers to be fully vaccinated. States such as Colorado, New York, Oregon, Washington, Rhode Island, and Maine have the mandate that health practitioners be vaccinated, or they have their employment terminated (Pekruhn & Abbasi, 2022). Similarly, Kentucky, California, Delaware, Nevada, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and Mississippi have policies demanding that health professionals be vaccinated or tested.
Circumstances for Vaccination
In the US, almost all states have specific recommendations for vaccine mandates. Most states, including New York, require healthcare practitioners to be vaccinated to enable them to handle the spread of diseases and viruses (Bardosh et al., 2022). Similarly, a significant number of states have regulations that require school-going children to be vaccinated. Furthermore, other states’ policies demand people living in care facilities to be vaccinated. In addition, employees in various industries are required to be immunized by some US states.
Positive Implications of States Requiring Vaccination
There are several positive implications for the states requiring vaccination mandates. First, the practice enhances herd immunity, meaning the disease cannot easily spread in society if most people are vaccinated. Second, immunization reduces the outbreak of sicknesses that can affect the community. Third, mandatory vaccination enables the government to protect vulnerable groups, especially individuals with low immunity systems, such as adults (Ayers, 2021). Fourth, when people are vaccinated, the general public is free from possible diseases leading to a healthy life. Firth, vaccination protects against viruses such as COVID-19 (Badar, 2021). Sixth, when individuals are immunized, the likelihood of suffering from the disease is low, making them save money that they would have spent on treatment.
In addition, undertaking mandatory vaccination enables people to prevent and overcome long-term health issues. Furthermore, having rules that require people to be vaccinated ensures that the whole community is immunized, thus reducing aspect of health disparities. Immunization is essential in protecting individuals from new strains of viruses and diseases (Ayers, 2021). In addition, through continuous vaccination, the community can easily eradicate illnesses. Since vaccines lower the spread of diseases, the practice is effective in promoting the overall health of the state. Lastly, compulsory vaccination is vital in enhancing the safety of people traveling across the country.
Negative Implications of States Requiring Vaccination
Even though some states may impose mandatory vaccination, the aspect might encounter several challenges. First, not all people can access vaccines to meet the requirements of the law. Second, anti-vaccination activities may spread false information about the vaccines leading to a response by the public. Third, some individuals may experience severe health issues due to the incompatibility of the serums with their body system. Fourth, different cultural and religious beliefs may incite objection to the inoculations (Badar, 2021). Firth, the people who might fail to obtain the vaccines might be discriminated against in society. Lastly, the state’s command might be perceived as a violation of an individual’s right to medication.
Supporting Federal Vaccinate Mandate
I support the move by the federal government to implement compulsory vaccination in the country. When vaccinated, people are protected from deadly diseases such as measles (Ayers, 2021). Similarly, when there is a law demanding people to be immunized, individuals will be vaccinated, thus making the families to be safe. In addition, mandatory vaccination will ensure almost all the public is protected; hence people can travel freely without fear of contracting diseases. Moreover, authentic immunization will ensure individuals’ immune system is high, making it difficult to fall sick and spend on medication.
Impacts of Federal Vaccine Mandate on Education
Supposing the federal government proceeds to implement mandatory vaccines, education will be simultaneously affected positively and negatively. First, all learners will be required by the school administration to be vaccinated (Ayers, 2021). Teachers might be forced to address a number of ethical issues from both parents and children to make all parties understand the decision. The move will require an increment in education funds to supply the vaccines. Students who fail to be immunized might be excluded from the institutions. In case of a disease outbreak, school operations might be disrupted to ensure learners are fully vaccinated.
Impacts of Federal Vaccine Mandate on Employment and Society
Similarly, the federal vaccine mandate can affect employment in different ways. First, it will lower cases of absenteeism as most workers will be able to withstand the disease and thus continue working. The country’s economy will remain active following limited workplace outbreaks (Ayers, 2021). However, employees who fail to be vaccinated may have their contracts terminated, leading to a loss of job opportunities. In society, the move will enhance herd immunity, thus lowering the spread of diseases in the community. On the other hand, some sections of the public might resist the mandate because it infringes the individual freedom to healthcare.
Recommendation and Strategy to Respond to Vaccine Mandate
Based on the ongoing vaccination debate, I recommend that parents be educated effectively on the benefits of vaccination to them and their children. The government should offer education and campaign programs to create awareness on matters dealing with immunization. Furthermore, I commend the need to consider individual circumstances to enable the accommodation of people in the process. In addition, there should be proper communication to enhance the understanding of the community about the vaccine. Lastly, health professionals should be transparent and share details of the vaccines, including side effects. My leadership will utilize a collaborative strategy whereby all stakeholders are involved in facilitating an effective response to the federal vaccine command. Based on the ongoing vaccination debate, I recommend that parents be educated effectively on the benefits of vaccination to them and their children. The government should offer education and campaign programs to create awareness on matters dealing with immunization. Furthermore, I commend the need to consider individual circumstances to enable the accommodation of people in the process. In addition, there should be proper communication to enhance the understanding of the community about the vaccine. Lastly, health professionals should be transparent and share details of the vaccines, including side effects. My leadership will utilize a collaborative strategy whereby all stakeholders are involved in facilitating an effective response to the federal vaccine command.
Impacts of Vaccine Mandate on Operations Decisions
Generally, a vaccine mandate has the potential to influence the operations decision in healthcare. First, it can make the supply chain management order additional vaccines necessary for vaccination. It can further lower the possibility of disease outbreaks leading to high patient safety. In addition, healthcare management might be forced to demand more resources to facilitate education for proper compliance with the regulations. Similarly, the relationship between vaccinated and unvaccinated employees might be a significant concern. Lastly, adhering to the mandates may push the healthcare management to fire staff members who have failed to comply, causing the facility to have a limited number of health professionals.
Conclusion
Based on the findings, it is evident that a vaccine mandate can potentially impact education, employment, and society. Before implementing the policy, the federal government should create public awareness to enable people to comprehend the benefits of being vaccinated. In the US, various states, including New York, have vaccine mandate under specific circumstances. I support the command by the federal government to establish mandatory vaccination because it will enhance herd immunity in the country. As a leader, I believe using a collaborative approach will ensure all healthcare stakeholders, including social workers, will properly understand the basis of having a vaccine mandate, thus making it easier to comply.
References
Ayers, S. R. (2021). Vaccinations and Fundamental Rights: The need for federal vaccination legislation. University of Toledo Law Review, 52(2), 353-374. Web.
Badar, M. (2021). Calling the shots: Balancing parental and child rights in the age of anti- vax. Indiana Journal of Global Legal Studies, 28(1), 325-348. Web.
Bardosh, K., De Figueiredo, A., Gur-Arie, R., Jamrozik, E., Doidge, J., Lemmens, T., Keshavjee, S., Graham, E. J., & Baral, S. (2022). The unintended consequences of COVID-19 vaccine policy: why mandates, passports and restrictions may cause more harm than good. BMJ Global Health, 7(5). Web.
De Figueiredo, A., Simas, C., Karafillakis, E., Paterson, P., & Larson, H. J. (2020). Mapping global trends in vaccine confidence and investigating barriers to vaccine uptake: a large-scale retrospective temporal modelling study. The Lancet, 396(10255), 898-908. Web.
Pekruhn, D. & Abbasi, E. (2022). Vaccine mandates by state: Who is, who isn’t, and how? LeadingAge. Retrieved January 7, 2023, from Vaccine Mandates by State: Who is, Who isn’t, and How? – LeadingAge