Mandatory Vaccination Policy Analysis

Words: 437
Pages: 2

Within the healthcare system, ethical decision making includes walking a fine line between individual freedom and doing what is best for the common good. Mandatory vaccination policies very much challenge this line. A nursing home that requires an annual influenza and COVID-19 vaccination is an example of tension between individual freedom and doing what is best for the common good. Looking at the structure of utilitarianism helps identify the intent and results of enforcement in relation to this policy. The primary goal of utilitarianism is to maximize overall happiness and minimize any suffering. The mandatory vaccination policies in this nursing home are trying to do just that. The intent is to protect the overall health of the elderly that …show more content…
Residents within a nursing home are more susceptible to the symptoms of influenza and COVID-19. Making it mandatory that all staff are vaccinated aims to reduce the risk of outbreaks that could lead to death, ultimately creating a safer and more dependable environment within the nursing home for those that live and work there. While the intent of the mandatory vaccination policy is morally and ethically correct, utilitarianism involves that the policy's consequences be assessed to evaluate how worth it. In this specific scenario at the nursing home, the policy has led to a staff shortage after people quit due to not wanting the vaccinations. Staff shortages can be detrimental to environments like the nursing home. It can lead to resident needs not being met, resident personal hygiene not being kept up with, and even medication and feeding not being done efficiently or effectively. A lack of quality of care could lead to further psychological and health complications for the residents. Overall, utilitarianism stresses that a requirement of policies must result in benefiting the greater good. Therefore, the pros and cons of making mandatory vaccinations must be