As the world's scientists have now developed workable vaccines including Oxford-Astazeneca, Pfizer-Biontech and Moderna. The topic of compulsory vaccination will soon need to be addressed. Could mandatory vaccination be deployed world wide? Due to the nature of Covid-19 It is quite clear that it is an extremely prolific disease. As the world learns more about its causes, mutations and further understands the requirement for treatment. At Life Insurance Cover we have looked at the potential benefits of compulsory vaccination. Let us know what you think in the comments.  

Mandatory vaccination?

One the benefits of mandatory action using legislation has had a dramatic effect in other areas of public health and safety (such as the indoor smoking ban, and use of seatbelts) so why not do the same with immunisation?

Others are more reserved however, expressing concerns that there is a lack of evidence that mandatory vaccination actually helps to increase uptake.

Should vaccines be mandatory?

Vaccination is one of the most effective public health interventions in the world for saving lives and promoting good health. Only clean water, which is considered to be a basic human right, performs better.

One of only a few global vaccination programmes which had complete success was the small pox eradication in 1979. Polio is to added to the global eradication list.

Despite this, uptake of vaccines has reduced in some countries. Caused by misguided concerns over vaccine safety.

When vaccines control disease, parents are less likely to witness the devastating effects of vaccine preventable infectious diseases. It is then easy for misplaced anxiety or suspicion about vaccines to override concerns about the disease itself.

If vaccination rates decline, there is a resurgence of infectious diseases.

Some countries are choosing to make a proactive approach by making vaccination mandatory. However, the effectiveness of this approach varies in countries which have already implemented it.

Will everyone be vaccinated?

You may be at risk of serious diseases that vaccines could prevent. It may also cause complications from certain diseases if you have a chronic health condition or weakened immune system.

Adults with chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease and with weakened immune systems. Are more likely to develop complications from certain vaccine-preventable diseases.

Vaccination will reduce the chance that you'll pass on a serious disease to your loved ones. Most vaccine-preventable disease can be contagious, like influenza, meningitis, and whooping cough. Some people are not be able to get certain vaccines based on age, health conditions. Or other factors even though they are vulnerable to illness. Vaccines can help prevent the spread of contagious diseases to them.

Mandatory vaccination for children, are we doing enough?

In all US states it is mandatory for children over five to receive vaccinations. Prior to enrolment in state licensed public schools, often private schools or day care facilities. All states have exemptions on medical grounds, almost all states grant religious exemptions. Only a few states allow philosophical exemptions for those who object to immunisations because of personal, moral or other beliefs.

Rates of exemptions have increased in recent years. Studies have shown that vaccine exemptions tend to cluster geographically, leaving some communities at greater risk for disease outbreaks.

Additionally it seems that some parents delay vaccinating their children until they start school. Babies are vulnerable to diseases, vaccines are scheduled in the first year of life to protect them.

In US states with the strictest laws, the rates of whooping cough and measles are significantly lower. Which suggests that if exemptions are harder to come by then mandatory vaccination may be more effective.

Children in Australia must meet immunisation schedules. In an attempt to further improve vaccination rates. Exemptions were removed as of January 2016. Six months later it was reported that more than 148,000 children had not been up to date. Now met their immunisation requirements as a result.

Vaccination Knowledge

Making vaccination compulsory is not the only way to obtain high vaccination rates. The UK has held an enviably high uptake rate for many years with the vast majority of parents choosing to vaccinate their children.

Research into how to further improve uptake rates amongst vaccine hesitant parents suggests that talking concerns through with a trusted health professional is beneficial. Additionally, practical issues such as making sure that vaccines and health care are easy to access is essential.

Perhaps making vaccination a core part of the educational curriculum could help future generations be less hesitant to vaccinate.

One thing we do know for sure is that Covid-19 is a deadly diseases that has taken many lives and can strike without warning. We await the science and the data in the pursuit of a vaccine for the potential eradication of Covid-19.

Let us know what your thoughts are relating to the mandatory vaccination against Covid-19 in the comments or on our social media.