o Reply to this Discussion Board with 2 references
COVID-19 vaccinations should not be a condition of employment in non-healthcare organizations but should be a condition of enrolling in and attending school. Most non-healthcare organizations currently do not require vaccination statuses as a condition of employment, so why start now? One reason is because of essential workers. There are other types of essential workers besides healthcare workers. For example, commercial truck drivers carry out an underappreciated role, and are vital to maintaining the critical supply chain of medical supplies and essential goods (Lemke, 2021). Although trucking companies are not healthcare organizations, their workers are at risk of contracting the virus, and their roles are extremely important for getting hospitals the necessary supplies for patient care.
It is understandable if companies want to protect their workers with the COVID-19 vaccination. It is also not surprising if it is a condition of employment to protect their workers and to also keep logistics running. What makes receiving the COVID-19 vaccine a high priority? Some may say the urgency for obtaining control of the virus, and others may say political agendas. Why would other vaccinations be necessary, but not the COVID-19 vaccine? Schools have required child vaccination status for decades.
Many may argue that there is not enough research for the COVID-19 vaccination and that it isn’t safe, that a vaccine age limit should exist, or they just don’t think children should receive vaccinations. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that any child 12 years and older should receive the COVID-19 vaccine (U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2021). It is ultimately the parents’ responsibility to protect their child.
Those who work in a healthcare setting should be given the option to have the COVID-19 vaccine or be required to wear a mask while in their workplace building. Baptist employees have been required to wear a mask while working during flu season if they choose not to get vaccinated for the flu. People have the choice to leave their place of employment as they wish.
What some people fail to understand or remember is that vaccinations are created to help protect humanity by preventing illnesses that can become life-threatening. Vaccinations are a necessity. Most organizations, businesses, and schools are going to do what is necessary to protect its employees and attendees. People have the right to choose whether they receive vaccines or not. People also have the right to protect themselves (through vaccination) against illnesses that can lead to death.
Organizations also have obligations and responsibilities that may or may not align with individual beliefs. Is the requirement of vaccination unethical, or does it create a conflict of interest between the employee and the organization (whether healthcare or non-healthcare)?
One question related to analyzing an ethical problem is “what are the considerations of public health and safety that influence clinical decisions?” (Jonsen et al., 2015). A COVID-19 vaccination requirement will not only influence clinical decisions but also non-clinical decisions, because public health and safety must be a priority and preserved.
References
Jonsen A.R., & Siegler M, & Winslade W.J.(Eds.), (2015). Contextual features. Clinical Ethics: A Practical Approach to Ethical Decisions in Clinical Medicine, 8e. McGraw Hill. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?bookid=1521§ionid=88812889Links to an external site.
Lemke, M. K. (2021). Commercial truck drivers should be a priority population for COVID-19 vaccinations. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 64(3), 217–219. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.23220Links to an external site.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2021). COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens. Retrieved September 13, 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/adolescents.htmlLinks to an external site.