Legal/ethical aspects of vaccinations

Vaccinations have been and are a most successful instrument of preventive medicine. After the development of a vaccine, a few ethical and legal questions arise. Since field trials should be performed in those age groups which shall be protected--can children give an "informed consent"? Should the vaccination be compulsory or should it be recommended by public health authorities? Should there be a compensation for injuries related to immunisation? The possibility to develop new vaccines and the readiness of the population to cooperate in vaccination campaigns depends very much on a clear solution of those questions.