Covid-19 Pandemic and Ethics of Mandatory Vaccinations

In recent years, vaccines have been found to be the most effective tool for mass protection of people against infectious communicable diseases. Despite technological advancements, the obligation of these essential preventive healthcare treatments, to date, remains a subject of debate and, to an extent, opposition arising from vaccine hesitancy and/or vaccine opposition. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated shortages in resources and personnel owing to its rapid spread globally. With little known about this uncommon disease, efforts for early development of vaccines to achieve herd immunity, control disease transmission and reduce morbidity and mortality were undertaken. The emergence and administration of vaccines raised ethical concerns about loss of liberty and autonomy under mandatory provisions. This chapter aims to highlight the processes through which an infectious disease such as COVID-19 is politicized and securitized in the global policy arena, driving the development and administration of vaccines as specific protection. It further discusses the ways in which COVID-19 vaccine sufficed ethical standards for mandatory vaccination programs. 

Keywords: Bio-medical ethics, COVID-19, Securitization, Vaccine hesitancy.