Do we get vaccinated or don't we get vaccinated? Ethical/moral considerations of vaccination

Abstract

The article examines the ethical and moral issues surrounding vaccination, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, based on the principles of autonomy, justice, and the common good. It addresses the tension between individual freedom and the protection of public health, as well as equitable access to vaccines, the distribution of risks and benefits, and the limits of state intervention. From the perspective of the Catholic Church, it emphasizes the importance of responsibility toward others and the protection of the most vulnerable. Finally, it highlights the moral obligation to ensure that vaccines are safe, ethically acceptable, and accessible, especially to populations in poorer countries.