The Debate Surrounding Vaccinations

Vaccinations are one of the greatest advances in modern medicine. They have changed human history by reducing the overall incidence of many dangerous diseases. In fact, they are one of the best tools we have for preventing disease and promoting public health.

Vaccines are among the most effective we have to ensure that large sections of the population stay healthy. However, there are differing opinions and much controversy in the debate over vaccinations.

Vaccines are controversial because many people associate them with risks. Today, there are parents who are against the idea because they are worried about possible injuries and potential side effects. There are several parents who oppose the idea that vaccines should be mandatory in many countries around the world.

The state recommendations regarding vaccination also differ from country to country. Most authorities and professionals in the medical community recommend vaccinations because they know they help protect our fundamental rights to health.

We discuss some of these issues below to learn more about our rights as patients and parents.

The legal framework for vaccinations

Within the legal framework for vaccinations, information is important. It is as a result that healthcare professionals and authorities now share more information about vaccines with the general public.

They want to make sure that patients, or their parents when it comes to minor children, are well informed about vaccinations.

In practice, it is currently usually doctors and nurses at various health centers who inform patients about the risks and benefits of vaccinations. They have a duty to ensure that you receive sufficient and accurate information, especially if you have any doubts or reservations.

It is important that as many people as possible get vaccinated. Otherwise, there is a risk that certain risk groups will be more susceptible to diseases for which there is actually a vaccine.

This is due, for example, to the fact that people with weakened immune systems cannot get vaccinated. They can often not be vaccinated themselves, but as long as the rest of the population is vaccinated, it protects them from becoming infected with these diseases.

It is important that health care provides parents with complete information. The information must be easy to understand. This includes information on all mandatory and recommended vaccines as well as the recommended vaccination schedule.

Debate over vaccinations: Parental consent

In most countries, it is the parents who give their consent to vaccinate minors. Depending on their maturity, it is also considered good ethical practice to also inform children over the age of 12 about what the vaccine does and how it protects them.

As another rule of thumb, young people aged 16 and over should agree to be vaccinated, except in special risk situations. Then it is best that their parents or representatives decide on vaccinations on behalf of the young patient.

With regard to general vaccinations, the authorities assume that the parent acts in good faith and with the consent of the other parent, even if only one parent is present at the vaccination. The situation is different if the other biological parent has said that he or she does not agree. In that case, they have to wait for a judge’s decision.

For vaccines that are not included in the general vaccination program, vaccination is included in the legal category for an optional medical treatment. The consent of both parents is required.

Should vaccines be mandatory?

Vaccinations of children raise certain questions about personal freedoms and collective rights. Legislation differs in all countries, but in some European countries some vaccines are mandatory. In Sweden today, all vaccinations are voluntary, but they are recommended by the Swedish Public Health Agency.

If one were to make it mandatory to receive vaccines, there are many legal and ethical aspects that must be taken into account. Ironically, vaccines have so far successfully controlled serious infectious diseases to the extent that this now contributes to today’s controversy.

Parents believe that there is such a small risk of becoming infected with diseases that now seem rare. There are many active debates in scientific journals and among loud parents and school boards about whether they need vaccines and whether there is an unnecessary risk of side effects and unwanted effects.

Debate over vaccines: How many people get vaccinated?

The vaccination program has been effective and it is now rare to hear about any of the infectious diseases that once hit the population hard, especially among infants and children. For this reason, many parents do not realize the risk they are taking as they do not vaccinate their children. Parents are more afraid of the risks associated with the vaccine itself.

The legislation in many countries now reflects this universal controversy. A number of countries have had to introduce compulsory vaccinations against certain diseases. The debate focuses on protecting an individual’s fundamental rights, such as the right to health before personal liberty.

In Sweden, the vaccination rate continues to be high, as many as 97% of all children under the age of 2 follow the vaccination program, compared with other countries such as France and Italy. In these countries, they had to make certain vaccines mandatory as an alarming number of people stopped getting vaccinated.