Voluntary COVID-19 vaccination of children: a social responsibility

Area of Science:

• Bioethics
• Public Health Policy
• Pediatric Medicine

Background:

• Millions of adults vaccinated against COVID-19, while children were excluded due to lower vulnerability and specific protections for minors.
• Existing vaccine approval and emergency authorization processes prioritize medical safety and national security.
• Social distancing measures disproportionately affect children, necessitating a broader ethical framework for their well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the ethical considerations of including children in COVID-19 vaccination programs.
• To advocate for a public responsibility framework in pediatric vaccine access decisions.
• To propose an ethical scheme for the gradual incorporation of minors into vaccination programs.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical ethics paper using the Pfizer vaccine as a case example.
• Analysis of existing WHO guidelines, national laws, and ethical principles.
• Consideration of the 'good of the child' within public health emergencies and policy-making.

Main Results:

• Excluding children a priori from vaccination is unjust and may worsen inequalities, even with limited vaccine supply.
• The decision regarding pediatric vaccine access is a public responsibility, culminating in pediatric informed consent.
• A scheme for gradual incorporation with rigorous post-vaccination monitoring is delineated.

Conclusions:

• Ethical frameworks must balance medical safety with the broader harms of containment measures on children.
• Pediatric informed consent is paramount in decisions about COVID-19 vaccination for minors.
• Equitable and ethical incorporation of children into vaccination programs is crucial to prevent exacerbating health disparities.