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Ethics: Vaccine Essay

Vaccine Ethics: My Body, My Right vs. The Common Good

Our world is in the grip of a serious debate over vaccines and their use to battle Covid-19. Some prominent leaders argue that getting a vaccine is a moral responsibility of all citizens that outweighs any fear or doubts. Others see getting a vaccine as a private, personal choice between an individual and their doctor. Still others do not yet have access to the vaccine and cannot make the choice for themselves either because of age, geography, or other such limitations. Lots of difficult, ethical questions to work through debating public health ethics and individual freedoms.

Questions for Your Paper: 
What are the limits of personal choice in relation to vaccines? Should public health override personal choice in relation to vaccines? Should governments mandate vaccines for all citizens? What about private businesses requiring proof of vaccination (either for employment or for access/admissions)? 

Directions: 
In a formal essay, 1200-1500 words, explore the ethical issues involved in choosing or not choosing to get vaccinated. Be sure to use our four approaches to ethical decision-making as the foundation for your ethical analysis (Deontology, Utilitarianism, Virtue, and Care Ethics). In addition, please choose at least 2 or 3 of the following additional resources and utilize quotations to strengthen your argument. Be sure to include a work cited page.

Useful Resources

Try a Google or Library Database search for [vaccin* AND ethics]

The asterisk helps you perform a "truncated search" - results will include any word with the root "vaccin".

The resources listed here represent a variety of types of reporting including some opinion as well as perspective. 

April 7, 2021: Read these two OPED pieces on the balance between personal liberty and public health.

Response Question: Compare and contrast, must we always trade freedom for safety, or is this a false choice?

Books in Carnegie Library

If you are a boarder on campus, you may place books on hold using Destiny Discover and pick them up during the school day or during library evening hours 7:00 - 10:00 pm. If you are a day student, contact Ms. Hammond to arrange for curbside pickup.

Search Destiny for [vaccin*]

Suggested Outline / Essay Structure

Introduction – Thesis
Public Health Ethics
-           What is it? 
-           Connection to Approaches to Ethical Decision-Making
Autonomy & Personal Liberty w/ Regard to Health
-           What is it?
-           Connection to Approaches to Ethical Decision-Making
Government Mandating Vaccines
-           Pros
-           Cons
Private Businesses Mandating Vaccines
-           Pros
-           Cons
Conclusion
-           How should responsible countries respond?
-           How should responsible citizens respond?

Databases and Citation Help