Exploring Bioethics - NIH Office of Science Education - National ...

11. Read the scenarios at the bottom of Master 2.11 to the studentsand tell them that these represent some common reasons foropting out of a vaccine.12. Give students 2 to 3 minutes to discuss one or more of thescenarios with their partners. Ask them to think about andweigh the relevant ethical considerations, the concept ofcommunity immunity, and the five scientific variables.13. Debrief the scenarios during a whole-class discussion. Say tostudents, “According to Joy’s religious beliefs, she should notreceive any medical interventions—including vaccinations. Isthis a good reason for opting out of the smallpox vaccine? Whyor why not?”Some students might say it’s a good reason, because respect for personsrequires that we not interfere with an individual’s ability to live inaccord with their most foundational beliefs. Others might say it isn’t,because the harms of not achieving community immunity are too great.14. Ask students, “Greg does not like needles and refuses to receivethe smallpox vaccine—is that a good reason for opting out of thevaccine? Why or why not?”Most students are likely to say it’s not a good reason, because the harmsof not achieving community immunity are far greater than the minorharm Greg would suffer from the needle stick. Emphasize that this isnot a good reason for opting out.15. Ask students, “Sue does not have insurance and she cannot affordto get the vaccine—is this a good reason not to get vaccinated?Why or why not?”16. Ask students, “John lives in a rural community and it is difficult toget to a clinic to get the vaccine—is this a good reason not to getvaccinated? Why or why not?”• This question and the previous one about insurance both addressissues related to access to vaccines. Some students may think thatlack of access is an acceptable reason not to be vaccinated.• Some students might add that everyone has a right to health care, soit is the state’s responsibility to provide the vaccine. If the state doesnot live up to its responsibility, then the individual has an acceptablereason not to be vaccinated.• Other students might point out that it is in everyone’s health interestto make vaccines available to the uninsured. This is an interestingpoint, but it will take the discussion away from the main question,Are some reasons for wanting to opt out from a vaccine better (moreacceptable) than others?2-26Exploring Bioethics