Ethics and immunization policy: promoting dialogue to sustain consensus
Feudtner, C.; Marcuse, E.K.
Pediatrics 107(5): 1158-1164
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-4005 PMID: 11331702 DOI: 10.1542/peds.107.5.1158Document Number: 278778
The societal consensus that has supported the United States' universal childhood immunization programs for the past 50 years shows signs of eroding. This article proposes a systematic approach to evaluate immunization policy options. Through a unifying framework that combines epidemiologic, economic, and ethical concerns, this approach promotes a clearer understanding of underlying issues and inherent tradeoffs between alternative policies. Such a systematic examination of policy options could facilitate the public dialogue necessary to continually recreate a broad consensus on immunization practices and enable us to choose policies most in accord with our fundamental values.