Consequentialism

A mom’s 3-year-old son and 13-month-old daughter had the triple measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccination just over a year ago after this mom had been reassured that it was extremely safe and would protect her son against dangerous childhood illnesses. Unfortunately, he had a bad reaction to the injection, with a high temperature, a rash around the injection site and a seizure. Although he seems fine now, mom is worried that having a seizure is an indication that he will develop autism or bowel problems. She has read the contradictory evidence about the risks of the triple MMR vaccine in newspapers and recognizes that the evidence suggesting a link between MMR and autism has now been disproved.

However, she is still concerned about having her daughter immunized against MMR in case the same thing happens to her.

• What ethical theory can be applied to the case scenario to determine whether or
  not mom should have her daughter immunized?
• What if the mom continues to refuse immunization?

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

Clinical Ethics and Law, Second edition. Carolyn Johnston, Penelope Bradbury, Series editor: Janice Ryme