In Arguing for Bioethics, Issacs et al. look at the different arguments for and against compulsory immunization. They come to a conclusion that compulsory immunization is justifiable but state coercion should be kept at a minimum because similar results can be achieved through education and inducements. Australia provides the perfect example as they have achieved over 90% childhood immunization without compulsory immunization. Earlier, I came upon an interesting case in Canada, where there is no compulsory immunization.
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, “immunization is not compulsory or “forced” in Canada.” Provinces can require children to have certain vaccines before they can enter school. However, parents, or children who are old enough, can choose whether to be immunized or not. If they choose to not be immunized, then the child must stay home from school if there is an outbreak. Recently, there was a case in British Columbia (Canadian province), in which a couple’s 14-year-old daughter was vaccinated without their consent. The girl was pulled out of class by public health nurses and received a vaccine against tenanus, diphtheria, and pertussis without checking her medical history or asking for the parents’ consent. The parents had chosen not to vaccinate their children because they worry that the vaccine might cause an adverse reaction and cause death, which is what happened to their first daughter.
Under the British Columbia Infants Act, parents do not need to sign a consent form for children age 14 or older to be immunized, as long as the doctor or nurse believes the child is mature enough to understand and make a decision. So legally, the nurses technically did not do anything “wrong.” However, I think it becomes an issue when nurses are actively attempting to increase the immunization rates, which is 84% in Canada. While the nurses are required to ask if there are any contradictions to the vaccine, could that be something that they disregard when they are only focused on increasing the numbers? In this particular case, the girl said the nurses didn’t ask about any medical history of an adverse reaction.
Vaccines are important because they can potentially save a lot of lives. Of course, there are people who are against vaccination. While I completely understand the parent’s concern about vaccination, I think they should have taken extra steps to education themselves about the possible adverse reactions from vaccines. The vaccine might have, or might not been the cause of their first daughter’s death. The first daughter was also battling cerebral dysgenesis at the time, so was it the pre-existing condition or the vaccine? As human beings, it’s easier to put the blame on something if there is a negative outcome, even if that one thing might not be the cause of it (Issacs et al.). Furthermore, individuals react differently to vaccines. Just because the older sister reacted to the vaccine does not mean the younger sister will as well. The parents should have taken extra measures (if possible) to see if vaccination will actually harm their younger daughter instead of making assumptions.
The parents are not the only ones who should be attacked for not vaccinating their child and not taking extra measures. Doctors and nurses should look at the issue of vaccines differently. It should not be all about the numbers. Instead, they should take the time to educate and ask patients about their concerns about the vaccine. We can’t just give vaccines to everyone with no concern about how it might affect them. It’s not someone’s fault if his or her body reacts badly to a vaccine. The benefits of vaccines may outweigh the negative outcomes, but they should not be given blindly. We need to make sure it is medically safe before giving vaccines.
While I don’t know the measures that Canada takes to education their people about vaccines, I agree with Issacs et al. that education is very important and should be something that doctors and public health officials should focus on. In the case above, education might have allowed the parents to make a more informed or rational decision about immunization. Simply attempting to force vaccines upon people may not be as effective as educating them about it.
Cited:
Issacs et al. “Should Routine Childhood Immunizations be compulsory?” Arguing about bioethics. London: Routledge, 2012. 398-406. Print.