World Health Organization
Requirements
Carefully read the case study below and respond to all related questions in your initial post. Provide support from a minimum of two scholarly sources:
In 2019, the World Health Organization identified ten threats to global health. Among them were high-threat pathogens, a global influenza pandemic, and vaccine hesitancy. This list presaged the COVID-19 outbreak, which spotlighted vaccinations to curb the devastating effects of the virus. Yet, despite the availability of vaccines, outbreaks of deadly vaccine-preventable diseases like measles and diphtheria are rising in the U.S. and around the globe due to the hesitancy or refusal of individuals to vaccinate. An advisory group to WHO (2019) identified complacency, an inconvenience in obtaining vaccines, and a lack of confidence as reasons individuals choose not to vaccinate. Reflect on this global health concern and address the following:
- Federal law requires that vaccine information statements (VIS) are distributed to the parent or person qualified under state law to consent to the vaccination of a minor. Should adolescent minors be allowed to consent to vaccines if their parent or guardian objects? Please explain your rationale.
- At what age should this right be granted if minors are approved to consent to vaccination? Please explain your rationale.
- What are the responsibilities, if any, of individuals who delay or reject vaccines for highly contagious diseases?
- Vaccination rates against influenza are suboptimal. Is a mandatory influenza vaccination policy warranted for healthcare workers? Please explain your rationale.
World Health Organization. (2019). Ten threats to global health in 2019. https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/ten-threats-to-global-health-in-2019
