Topic > Should vaccines be mandatory? - 889

Health care is complex and constantly evolving. What makes perfect sense to one individual may pose deeply rooted ethical problems for another individual. With the vast amount of possibilities that expand through research, ethical dilemmas develop that complicate the decisions we must make for ourselves and our loved ones. Various choices regarding cancer vaccines, fraud, and euthanasia will be explored. Cancer Vaccines The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer showcases a parade of today's polarizing ethical issues, but the topic of mandatory cervical cancer vaccines particularly caught my attention. I saw the video not from the lens of a healthcare professional, but from the attitude of a mother of a beautiful two-year-old girl. As is the habit of many parents, I am fiercely protective and want only the best for my daughter. Deciding what is best when it comes to mandatory cervical cancer vaccinations is a problem faced by parents of preteen girls across the United States. Accordingly, the commentary details human papillomavirus (HPV) statistics and related numbers leading to cervical cancer and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The debate is whether the vaccine should be mandatory or not. On the one hand, as a parent, I don't like being told that my child needs to get the vaccine. This is a clear violation of his autonomy. On the other hand, I think about the benefit my daughter would have if most of her peers were covered by the vaccine, ultimately protecting her through herd immunity. It is, in short, a kind of social justice (Morrison, 2010). As for how I will address this with my daughter, I believe the only ethical thing to do is to implement some sort of informed consent. Even if legal… half the paper… the patient. Conclusion In conclusion, the healthcare industry is discovering new technologies and expanding choices with each passing year. Today's healthcare consumer's decisions are complex and represent a very personal choice. For example, HPV cancer vaccines pose the dilemma of vaccinating minors who should have autonomy. Additionally, business fraud is muddying the waters of the healthcare industry, as well as complex issues such as euthanasia. Finally, as the healthcare landscape continues to develop, the decisions of a well-informed and knowledgeable patient should be respected. Works Cited Morrison, E. (2010). Ethics in healthcare administration: A practical approach for decision makers. Jones & Bartlett Publishers. Morrison, E., & Furling, E. (2014). Healthcare ethics: Critical issues for the 21st century. Jones and Bartlett Learning.