Legal and Ethical Arguments Around Mandatory Vaccinations: CA & NY

This essay examines the legal and ethical arguments surrounding mandatory vaccinations, focusing on the states of California and New York. It explores the historical context of immunization, state-specific legislation, and the impact of vaccination policies on public health. The paper delves into the complexities of religious exemptions, parental rights, and the balance between individual liberties and the collective good. It analyzes the literature from organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and UNICEF, alongside peer-reviewed journals. The essay employs both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, including interviews and questionnaires, to understand the effects of mandatory vaccinations on disease control and public health outcomes, while also considering the ethical considerations surrounding medical exemptions and the empowerment of the girl child. The study also analyzes the primary and secondary sources from the state governments of New York and California. The essay concludes by highlighting the contribution of the research to the existing body of knowledge, emphasizing the importance of timely immunization for the health of young children, and the significance of vaccination policies in shaping the future of medical practice in the United States.

Running head: LEGAL AND ETHICAL ARGUMENTS AROUND MANDATORY
VACCINATIONS IN TWO STATES 1
Legal and Ethical Arguments around Mandatory Vaccinations in Two States
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LEGAL AND ETHICAL ARGUMENTS AROUND MANDATORY VACCINATIONS IN
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Legal and Ethical Arguments around Mandatory Vaccinations in two States
Synopsis
Increase in childhood infections that lead to low infant rates of mortality has necessitated
the creation of vaccines to deal with the diseases and help to reduce the rates of infection. The
study of trends of immunization on the health of the world population is essential because it
helps to chart a way forwards for public health. States around the US have come up with some
state legislation that aims to increase the intake of vaccinations among the populations to
minimize contamination. California and New York states are two of the leading states in the US
regarding infant vaccinations. The law in California requires all children to be vaccinated on
attaining the required age for immunization. The state needs 100% compliance with the law and
failure to abide by it attracts severe consequences. The law dictates when and how the child
receives the vaccination.
Issues for Exploration
The research will explore the issue of religious belief and immunization between the two
states, the effect of compulsory immunization in the two states and the influence of
immunization on the health of the population. The history of immunization in the two states will
be of primary importance. The requirement for immunization for the state of California requires
that every parent ensure that his or her children are vaccinated before enrollment into elementary
school. The law became effective on January 1st of 2016. The law reigned supreme over all other
religious or philosophical beliefs. The following essay examines the current state of rules and
regulations concerning mandatory vaccinations in New York and California.

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Literature Review
Literature from the World Health Organization, UNICEF, Center for Disease Control and
peer-reviewed journals provide material that enriches the study. According to Mangan (2018),
the state of mandatory vaccination, laws, and regulations vary all of the different levels of US
jurisdictions. With the nation of the two states’ vaccination laws and rules in mind, it is essential
for the country to develop a legal paradigm via which parents whose children suffer from
unfortunate instances vaccination malfunction can be compensated. Vaccinations are an integral
part of the human process of prevention against infection. Sometimes vaccines malfunction and
place the lives of the young children (CDC, 2018). The Center for Disease Control of the United
States is charged with conducting research and finding solutions for health infections and
diseases. Compared to New York, California has enacted stringent laws to ensure that young
children are immunized (Pengcheng, et al., 2014). New York provides exemptions from
vaccination because of religious beliefs.
Parents must provide the school a written explanation for the basis of their rejection of
vaccination. The statement is expected to be in the words of the parents and must state the
parents’ reasons for opposing immunization (Trimble, 2018). The letter must indicate the kinds
of vaccinations opposed and whether the parent opposes all immunizations. The letter must also
provide the religious basis that opposes the particular vaccination. The exemption is not granted
to people who come with a letter from the clergy, lawyer, or any other member of the society
(Johnson, 2018). Exclusion to medical vaccination requires that a physician from the state of
New York certifying that the injection may be harmful to the health of the child. The two states
cut down on the cost of immunization.

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Research Methodology
The study shall utilize qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. Use of
mixed method of research is essential in enriching the study. Interviews, questionnaire, and a
qualitative content analysis are the two primary source of data collection. The state of New York
requires all children in the country to gain access to immunization. The vaccination laws are
enshrined under section 2164 of the Law for the New York state public health (Pengcheng, et al.,
2014). All students entering into any institutions of learning in the state have to be immunized
against Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Polio. Every child in the country
attending daycare must be vaccinated to prevent spreading of diseases and infections (WHO,
2014). The state has public law statutes that provide for religion and medical exemptions to
vaccinations. The state of California is different because it has provision for religious and
cultural exceptions to the law.
Contribution of the Research to Knowledge
The study will immensely contribute to already existing literature about immunization in
the US and will form firm foundation for establishing the course of the future of medical practice
in the US. The laws in both states encourage the vaccination of both genders in equal measure.
The girl's child is given special consideration given the nature of the female human body.
Empowerment of the girl child is a good thing. It has helped to bring a balance in our families,
careers, and the globe as a whole (UNICEF, 2018). We now have some women who are single
mothers and courtesy of education and empowerment groups supported by some institutions
inclusive of the government; they are capable of taking good care of their children or themselves
(Trimble, 2018). As the most vulnerable gender, prone to emotional inefficiency and entirely

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identified as weak not to say brittle, they have come out to be stronger than men are. The case is
more evident in our workplaces and homes no matter the geographical regions.
Vaccination is essential of many elements of human communities. Some of them once
they get tired with their partners they choose to have another one outside marriage, who they feel
is right in bed or has a better character than the "Jezebel" they stay and reside with. It might
sound incredibly selfish, but we cannot understand the reason they have by judging them without
hearing their stories (Stefano, et al., 2018). Complexities of what define the scope of marriage
and relationship has left the world to ponder a lot on what the future generation will be like. It is
and will be highly premature to be sure of what tomorrow holds regarding the social perception
and regression, all we can confidently come up with are probabilities or conspiracy theories
(Start Center , 2016). The present world society empowers the girl child in a way that leaves the
boychild out of the picture. The more girls have allowed the more opportunities they get out of
life creating unequal competition and conflict of interest.
Primary and Secondary Sources
Primary and secondary sources will accrue from peer-reviewed journals, the state
government resources of New York and California, the CDC, UNICEF and the WHO. State and
national laws establish programs for vaccination for young children. School going is given
special attention because the nature of the school institution encourages the spread of diseases.
The laws for vaccination in both states are designed for both private going schoolchildren and
public going schoolchildren. Childcare facilities are identified as some of the centers that attract
many young children and hence provide grounds for new infections. According to studies,
exemptions in vaccinations tend to surround geographical clustering. Geographical clustering
leaves some populations on danger and greater risk of infection. Vaccination requirements and

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regulations reach many children via a broad range of facilities. The rules and regulations of the
two states of New York and California have many needs for getting and exception. They require
parental analysis of requests for exemptions. Proper and timely immunization is essential for the
health of young children.
References

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CDC. (2017, December 12). Center for Disease Control and Preention . Retrieved December 12,
2017, from Immunization :
www.cdc.gov/preconception/careforwomen/immunization.html
CDC. (2018, February 3). Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved February 3,
2018, from Deaths and Mortality : www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/deaths.htm
Johnson, D. (2018, January 9). American Babies Are Less Likely to Survive Their First Year
Than Babies in Other Rich Countries. Retrieved February 3, 2018, from Time Magazine :
www.time.com/5090112/infant-mortality-rate-usa/
Mangan, D. (2018, January 8). US has the Worst Rates of Child Mortality Among 20 Rich
Nations . Retrieved February 3, 2018, from CNBC: www.cnbc.com/2018/01/08/us-has-
worst-rate-of-child-mortality-among-20-rich-nations.html
Pengcheng, L., Chengyue, L., Ying, W., Wei, Z., Hua, W., Honghui, W., et al. (2014). The
Impact of the Major Causes of Death On Life Expectancy in China: A 60-year Old
Longitudinal Study. BMC Public Heath, 10(14), 1-30.
Start Center . (2016). Straytegic Analysis Research and Training Center . Wachington: Bill and
Melinda Gates Foundation.
Stefano, F., Davis, R., Jackson, L., Thompson, R., Mullolly, J., Black, B., et al. (2018). The
Vaccine Safety Data Link: Immunization Research in Health Maintenance Organizations.
Immunization Safety, 78(2), 186-195.
Trimble, M. (2018, January 11). U.S. Kids More Likely to Die Than Kids in 19 Other Nations .
Retrieved February 3, 2018, from Best Countries : www.usnews.com/news/best-

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countries/articles/2018-01-11/us-has-highest-child-mortality-rate-of-20-rich-countries
UNICEF. (2018). Sustainability of Achievements: Lessons Learned from Universal Child
Immunization. New York: UNICEF.
WHO. (2014). Status of Vaccine Research and Development of Vaccines for RSV . New York :
WHO.