KARACHI:
The coronavirus pandemic has presented an interesting dilemma between personal choice as a right to freedom and mandatory vaccination as a social obligation. Personal freedom is justified so long as it does not impinge on the other people’s freedom. It has been observed that when given a choice to get vaccinated, without incentives or associated penalties, a sufficient number of people do not want to opt for vaccinations.
In a situation of vaccine hesitancy, where people refuse to accept their social responsibility, a vaccine mandate becomes reasonable and just. If we use John Rawls’ concept of the “Veil of Ignorance” for coming up with rules for a just society, we will reach a similar conclusion. In the case of the current pandemic, I do not know when the veil might be lifted. But, as a rational being, it becomes my responsibility to protect myself and others by making rules that ensures everyone gets vaccinated. Therefore, a vaccine mandate becomes justifiable. This is especially true for organisations that deal with vulnerable population such as old people or cancer patients. In fact, just last week, a federal judge in Texas dismissed a lawsuit brought by employees of a hospital who had challenged the hospital’s coronavirus vaccination requirement, precisely because the mandated inoculation is for the safety of everyone and not just the individual.
In the UK as well, the health secretary made it mandatory for all residential care workers to get vaccinated. In Pakistan, all organisations, especially those who work with vulnerable populations, should act responsibly and make Covid-19 vaccination mandatory.
Mariam Khan
Lahore
Published in The Express Tribune, June 30th, 2021.
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