Mandatory Vaccination for All: USA Today Opinion Piece Calls for an End to Medical Freedom

"Simply put, getting vaccinated is going to be our patriotic duty."

About six weeks ago, I asked several questions about the right of governments to impose mask mandates on their citizens. One of my motivations for asking these questions was concern over the potential precedent these mandates would set, both legally and in the minds of individuals. More specifically, I was concerned that calls would be made for mandatory vaccination for all, a concern that seems to be shared by millions of Americans. A recent Gallup poll showed that 35% of Americans would NOT get a COVID-19 vaccine “even if a vaccine were FDA-approved and available to them at no cost.”

Despite the millions of Americans who currently have no desire for a COVID-19 vaccine, this opinion piece from USA Today argues for mandatory vaccination for all, with no “religious or personal objections” and “rare” medical exemptions. The authors explain: “[W]hile the measures that will be necessary to defeat the coronavirus will seem draconian, even anti-American to some, we believe that there is no alternative. Simply put, getting vaccinated is going to be our patriotic duty.” I disagree STRONGLY with this statement and the authors’ accompanying arguments. Compulsory vaccination of any sort is, in my view, legally and morally problematic, as it is a violation of informed consent (and individual liberty more broadly). But what’s perhaps worse about this article, and some arguments for other responses to COVID-19, is the claim that taking certain measures is “patriotic” and/or the only way to love or care for other people.

There’s more that could be said, but for now I simply want others to be aware of the arguments that are being made, as any campaign for mandatory vaccination will have significant impacts on everyone.