Is it immoral to refuse the vaccine
I have summarised this BBC Radio 4 episode of the Moral Maze.
Below is a 3 minute clip. If you would like to listen to the whole programme, click on the link above. It’s about 40 minutes.
Summary with vocab in bold
In a programme called the ‘ Moral Maze’ on Radio 4, they had a very interesting discussion about themoralityof having the Covid vaccine. The presenter starts by saying that it is ‘the most ancient ofethicaldilemmas - how to balance individualautonomyagainst the common good.’ Theuptakeof the vaccine in Britain has generally been very good but there are also many people who have been offered and refused it. The vast majority of those now being hospitalised have not been vaccinated. The decision not to have it affects everyone and prolongsthe pandemic. Do we have a moral responsibility to have it?
The panellists all seem to bein consensusthat the reasons people give as to why they haven’t had it, are important to consider. Refusing the vaccine because ofconspiracy theories(that can easily bedebunkedwith research) is very different from refusing it because of deeply held religious beliefs. Vaccinetake-uphas been much lower within certain racial groups. Institutionaldistrustplays a major part and this canunderminepublic health strategies in times of emergency. It is thought that some communities have felt thedisproportionateimpact of governmentausterityand have a sense ofgrievance.
Dr. Rieder says that you are ‘not violating a duty if you are exercisingdominionabout your body’. However, some refusers are seen asfree ridersas they are taking advantage of the fact that the only way to fight the pandemic is if ‘society acts on a strong moralnormofmutualobligation.’
They also discuss how far it is acceptable to go incalling peopleout. Dr. Giubilini believes that there are more important things thanstigmaand blame and if there is some stigma that’s acostwe have to bewillingto pay.
What’s your opinion? Have you had the vaccine? Do you think it’s wrong if people don’t have it? I personally haven’t had it because I’m pregnant. Although the government originally said that it shouldn’t be given in pregnancy, they have now given itthe green lightbut I still feel there are too manyunknowns.Anyway, let me know where you stand in thiscontroversialdebate.
Summary without vocab in bold
In a programme called the ‘ Moral Maze’ on Radio 4, they had a very interesting discussion about the morality of having the Covid vaccine. The presenter starts by saying that it is ‘the most ancient of ethical dilemmas - how to balance individual autonomy against the common good.’ The uptake of the vaccine in Britain has generally been very good but there are also many people who have been offered and refused it. The vast majority of those now being hospitalised have not been vaccinated. The decision not to have it affects everyone and prolongs the pandemic. Do we have a moral responsibility to have it?
The panellists all seem to be in consensus that the reasons people give as to why they haven’t had it, are important to consider. Refusing the vaccine because of conspiracy theories (that can easily be debunked with research) is very different from refusing it because of deeply held religious beliefs. Vaccine take-up has been much lower within certain racial groups. Institutional distrust plays a major part and this can undermine public health strategies in times of emergency. It is thought that some communities have felt the disproportionate impact of government austerity and have a sense of grievance.
Dr. Rieder says that you are ‘not violating a duty if you are exercising dominion about your body’. However, some refusers are seen as free riders as they are taking advantage of the fact that the only way to fight the pandemic is if ‘society acts on a strong moral norm of mutual obligation.’
They also discuss how far it is acceptable to go in calling people out. Dr. Giubilini believes that there are more important things than stigma and blame and if there is some stigma that’s a cost we have to be willing to pay.
What’s your opinion? Have you had the vaccine? Do you think it’s wrong if people don’t have it. I personally haven’t had it because I’m pregnant. Although the government originally said that it shouldn’t be given in pregnancy, they have now given it the green light but I still feel there are too many unknowns. Anyway, let me know where you stand in this controversial debate.
Glossary
morality (noun)
The degree to which something is considered right or wrong
ethical (adjective)
Involving the principles for deciding if something is right or wrong
dilemmas (noun)
A situation that involves making a difficult decision
autonomy (noun)
Being able to make decisions for yourself without being controlled by anyone
uptake (noun)
The use that is made of something that has become available
hospitalised (verb)
To be taken to hospital
prolongs (verb)
To make something last longer
in consensus (phrase)
To be in agreement about something
conspiracy theories (noun)
The belief that a group of people/organisation have secretly worked together to cause an event.
debunked (verb)
To show that an idea/belief is false
take-up (noun)
The rate (speed) at which people accept something that is offered to them
Institutional (adjective)
From or within a large organisation
distrust (noun)
A feeling of not trusting someone/something
undermine (verb)
To weaken the authority that someone/something has
disproportionate (adjective)
Something that is bigger or smaller than it should be in comparison to something else
austerity (noun)
When the government reduces the amount of money it spends by a large amount
grievance (noun)
Feeling that you have been treated unfairly
dominion (noun)
Control
free riders (noun)
Someone who benefits in some way without doing anything
norm (noun)
A way of behaving that is typical or accepted
mutual (adjective)
True of two or more people
calling out (phrasal verb)
To criticise someone (often publicly) and challenge them to explain it
stigma (noun)
A feeling that something is embarrassing or wrong
cost (noun)
Loss or damage that is caused to something good
willing (adjective)
To do something, even though you might not want to
the green light (phrase)
To say yes to something
unknowns (noun)
Things that are not known about
controversial (adjective)
A subject that people disagree about
Questions
Have you had the vaccine? Why? Why not?
Do you think people have a moral duty to have the vaccine?
Why do some people not want to have the vaccine? Give all the reasons you can think of (including those given in the summary)
What is vaccine take-up like in your country/where you live currently?
Do you think it is wrong for people to be stigmatised and blamed for not having the vaccine?
Do you know anyone personally (apart from me!) that has been offered but refused it?