Should states restrict recipient choice amongst relevant and available COVID-19 vaccines?

Cave, Emma; McMahon, Aisling

Abstract

Several COVID-19 vaccinations have been authorised worldwide. Whilst some vaccines are contraindicated for certain age groups or health conditions, there are often multiple clinically suitable authorised vaccine brands available. Few states have allowed recipients to choose amongst them, though there are multiple reasons why choice would be valued. We consider the policy justifications for state controls on recipient choice amongst COVID-19 vaccine brands, focusing on European countries and drawing on the UK context as an example. We contrast justifications for not offering choice at the height of the early pandemic crisis, and as some states seek to de-escalate their response and transition towards living with COVID-19. We argue that in the latter context public expectations of choice between available vaccine brands and platforms may rise, but that several considerations may justify continued restrictions on choice. A key factor which states should continue to take into consideration is the global nature of the pandemic. Insofar as offering recipient choice at a national level might exacerbate global inequity in vaccine distribution, states retain a normative and legal justification for restricting choice amongst available and clinically suitable vaccine brands.

Citation

Cave, E., & McMahon, A. (2023). Should states restrict recipient choice amongst relevant and available COVID-19 vaccines?. Medical Law Review, 31(2), 272-292. https://doi.org/10.1093/medlaw/fwac042

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 29, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Oct 14, 2022
• Publication Date: 2023
• Deposit Date: Sep 30, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 19, 2022
• Journal: Medical Law Review
• Print ISSN: 0967-0742
• Electronic ISSN: 1464-3790
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 31
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 272-292
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/medlaw/fwac042
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1192911