Childhood Immunization

Sophie’s first child, Alfie, is 3 months old. She had an easy pregnancy and uncomplicated birth. Alfie is happy and thriving. Sophie regularly takes him to meet with other mums from her antenatal group. A few of those mothers have said that they are not going to take their children to the GP to have the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine because they are worried about the side effects. Sophie is concerned to hear this. She and her husband had intended to take Alfie for all the routine immunizations because they want to do what is best for him. The mothers’ talk is making Sophie doubt if this is the case.

• Are childhood immunizations compulsory?
• Can parents legally refuse to have their child immunized? What if they disagree?
• Are there any ethical justifications for non-immunization?

Apply Theory (Specific Professional Healthcare Competencies + Clinical Medical Ethical Principles) to Practice in order to provide Optimal Patient-Centered Care (OPCC)

Source – Ethics Case Studies from Clinical Ethics and Law (Second Edition), Carolyn Johnston Penelope Bradbury