Ethical Challenges Involved in COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates for Children: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Bioethics
• Pediatrics

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic presents significant ethical challenges, particularly concerning vaccine mandates for children.
• Vaccination is a key strategy to control the pandemic, but mandates raise complex ethical questions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the ethical conflicts, impacts, and requirements of COVID-19 vaccine mandates on children.
• To analyze parental vaccine refusal reasons and effective strategies for increasing pediatric vaccine uptake.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review following PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
• Searched PubMed and WHO COVID-19 Research Database using keywords 'COVID-19 vaccine mandates on children'.
• Included studies in English, focusing on humans, ethics, and children; 13 studies met selection criteria from 529 initial records.

Main Results:

• Identified diverse ethical conflicts, impacts, and requirements associated with pediatric COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
• Highlighted parental concerns as a significant factor in vaccine refusal.
• Found a need for scientific and considerate implementation of vaccination drives for children.

Conclusions:

• COVID-19 vaccine mandates for children require thorough ethical scrutiny.
• Scientific implementation is crucial, considering potential impacts on child growth and development.
• Addressing parental concerns is vital for successful pediatric vaccination strategies.