Question

The Apple Tree learning Center requires all children who attend to comply with current vaccine recommendations and be up-to-date on immunizations at the start of each year. Applying Utilitarianism, describe whether or not this policy is justified?

Answer 1

Utilitarianism: It is the theory that an action or practice is right when it leads to the greatest possible balance of good consequences or to the least possible balance of bad consequences and thereby minimizes harms and maximizes benefits.

For: Vaccinations eliminate and prevent infectious diseases that once killed or harmed many infants, children, adolescents, and adults. Vaccines are intended to boast our immunity against certain viruses such as the flu, which is constantly changing in form and severity. Vaccine-preventable disease can have many social and economic costs to society. These include sick children missing school, parents missing work to take care of the child, increased family stress and responsibility, lowered quality of life for the afflicted individual, and increased doctor’s visits, hospitalizations, costs, and premature death.

Against: Childhood immunization involves a balance between parents’ autonomy in deciding whether to immunize their children and the benefits to public health from mandating vaccines. More and more parents are not willing to vaccinate their children because of some reasons like fear of harm from the vaccines, some believe that vaccines are not necessary and their right of freedom, and religious, medical or philosophical reasons.

Theory application: The viruses and bacteria that cause vaccine-preventable disease still exist and can be passed on to those who are not vaccinated. The vaccine policies and guidelines adhere to maximize the good that is our society’s overall health and a lower disease and death rate and maintain the standard of goodness of a better life and minimize consequences. They have played the largest role in the eradication of many serious, often fatal viruses. They have also been economically effective by cutting down the expenses of caring for those affected by vaccine-preventable diseases.

Conclusion: Thus, according to Utilitarianism, the good of the action of vaccinating outweighs the very low percentage that has adverse reactions to vaccines. This policy of vaccinating children upto date is justified. Moreover, there are currently only three exceptions for which parents can choose not to vaccinate their children are medical, religious, and philosophical rationales.