DOI: https://doi.org/10.36719/2789-6919/54/48-51
Kamal Kazimli
Azerbaijan State University of Economics
Master’s student
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4520-2353
kamalkazimli55@gmail.com
Vaccination Policy Reform: Balancing Individual Rights
and Collective Health Security
Abstract
Vaccination policy reform represents a complex intersection between individual freedoms and collective health protection. This study explores the ethical, legal, and public health dimensions of vaccination mandates and exemptions. While immunization programs have proven essential in controlling infectious diseases and safeguarding public health, debates persist about personal autonomy, bodily integrity, and state intervention. The paper analyzes the evolution of vaccination policies in democratic societies, highlighting tensions between compulsory vaccination laws and human rights frameworks. It further examines policy strategies aimed at achieving herd immunity without undermining civil liberties, including informed consent, targeted education campaigns, and incentive-based models. Comparative case studies from Europe and North America illustrate how governments balance public safety with individual rights in the face of vaccine hesitancy and misinformation. The findings suggest that successful vaccination reforms depend on transparent governance, equitable access to healthcare, and sustained public trust. Ultimately, the research underscores that a well-designed vaccination policy must protect both public health and personal choice, ensuring ethical integrity in global health governance.
Keywords: vaccination, health, individual, collective, mandates, human, bioethics, immunity, governance, policy, informed, hesitancy