The Case of Mia Masterson (No 4 Wellbeing street) Promoting mandatory vaccination

Running head: HEALTHCARE
Health across the lifespan
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

HEALTHCARE1
Case Study 1: Mia Masterson (No 4 Wellbeing street)
1. Promoting mandatory vaccination in this case is associated with a range of conflicting
legal and ethical issues. Legal compulsion of the parents David and Julian will
impinge on their human rights to decide what is appropriate for their child. Mandatory
vaccination is a prerequisite to ensuring the health and wellbeing of children, since it
aims to perpetuate herd immunity (Pierik, 2018). Reluctance of the parents to
vaccinate their child shows noncompliance to the strict vaccination requirements and
might often result in violation of the No Jab, No Pay policy. It might also ban
enrolment of Mia in child care centres and preschools (Trent, Zhang, Chughtai &
MacIntyre, 2019). The first ethical issue is associated to autonomy of parents where
they must be allowed to decide the best practice for their child, not under the
influence of any healthcare provider. Though the intention is to protect the child from
any communicable diseases (beneficence), forcefully vaccinating her against the wish
of her parents might lead to some kind of harm, thus violating the principle of non-
maleficence (Gill, Kukreja, Mannan, Gill & Singh, 2018).
2. The No Jab, No Pay policy had been introduced by the Australian government in
2016, and it mandated welfare payments of families based on the vaccination status of
children. While Victoria mandates complete immunisation for children attendance,
the National Immunisation Strategy for Australia 2013–2018 by the Australian
government also focuses in enhancing immunisation coverage through efficient and
secure vaccine supplies (Department of Health, 2016). The Public Health Act 2010
also requires all children to be completely vaccinated, prior to enrolment at a
childcare centre (New South Wales, 2010). The World Health Organisation provides
essential vaccines free of charge to all children, infants, adults and adolescents who
are eligible.

HEALTHCARE2
3. The primary action would be to educate the parents about the benefits and safety of
vaccines, with the supposition that the educational mediations will encourage both
David and Julian towards vaccine acceptance. The parents will be asked to seek
consultation from a physician whom they can trust, and share their concerns with.
They will be provided data and facts for explaining the negative correlation between
vaccination and autism and will also be explained that diagnosis of autism in their
niece was not a consequence of immunisation (Bennett, Webster, Goodall &
Rowland, 2018).
4. As a registered nurse, it is imperative to communicate effectively with the parents
about vaccines and persuading them to immunise their daughter. Parents generally
consider healthcare professionals as the most trusted information source, in relation to
vaccines, even in presence of vaccine hesitancy. Hence, while discussing vaccines for
their daughter, efforts will be taken to use the presumptive approach. The strong
recommendation for vaccination will be clearly stated using anecdotes and scientific
evidences. The importance of immunisation, in relation to protecting children from
potentially life threatening illnesses will also be explained, in addition to sharing
personal experiences (Rezza, 2019). Trust establishment will form an essential
component of the holistic approach and efforts will be taken to address the fears,
concerns and beliefs of the parents about vaccines. A willingness will be displayed
towards their concerns and any kind of misconception related to vaccine injury will be
clarified using evidences.
Case study 2: Taylah Dennison (No 8 Wellbeing Street)
1. In Australia, consent for clinical treatment of patients who are aged less than 18 years
are typically provided guardians or parents in Australia, and while providing consent,
parents are typically obliged to act in a manner that is regarded in the best interest of