Autonomy vs. beneficence. A bioethical inquiry for Covid-19 mandatory vaccination

Abstract

Lately, the public discussion around mandatory vaccination has been an intensely enliven one. On the one hand, there are those who argue for the effectiveness of vaccination and demand that all procure it in order that all be immunize and that the threat of COVID-19 be minimize. On the other hand, there are those who are troubled about getting the vaccine and claim that mandatory vaccination is an infringement on their individual Autonomy. Furthermore, there are those who refuse vaccination for faith-based reasons and thus invoke religious exemption. The paper offers a moral analysis about the conflict between Mandatory Vaccination, supposed to be for the good of the community, and individual Autonomy. It clarifies why there are no moral basis for mandatory vaccination nor for religious exemption.