I pose this question following news that Florida plans to eliminate all vaccine mandates for children: https://apnews.com/article/florida-childhood-vaccines-mandate-eliminate-desantis-363323dcdd3811ca9ad7def5f9a30fb2
I feel like the debate over mandated vaccines have become mainstream since COVID, and people have become increasingly vaccine-skeptical or straight up anti-vax in recent years. I believe this has become amplified by the appointment of RFK Jr. as the head of HHS.
I can’t really wrap my head around why eliminating vaccine mandates would be a good thing. Of course, this can become politicized and be a slippery slope. I tried reading up on the libertarian approach to this, and came across this piece from an individual at Cato from 2015: https://reason.com/2015/02/07/seeking-balance-in-vaccination-laws/
In my mind, I equate forfeiting individual liberty in this instance to be like TSA – yes, your privacy is invaded at TSA, but this protects the safety of all those on board of an airplane. I can’t see the net positives of eliminating vaccine mandates, especially if (or when) more states follow Florida’s lead. From all we know, heard immunity will become compromised as more people opt-out of vaccinations, and more children, immunocompromised individuals, and elderly individuals will be at risk of illness.
Theoretically, vaccine recommendations would work with proper education and guidance, and people WOULD opt to be vaccinated/vaccinated their children with this education, but the current push to eliminate mandates is based in misinformation.
All that to say, I guess I’m just looking for perspective on how these recent moves could possibly be good for our society. Sure, maybe they grant more individual freedom, but at what cost?
Posted by bri_guy_