Ethical review of COVID‐19 vaccination requirements for transplant center staff and patients. Issue 2 (15th November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kates, Olivia S.; Stock, Peter G.; Ison, Michael G.; Allen, Richard D. M.; Burra, Patrizia; Jeong, Jong Cheol; Kute, Vivek; Muller, Elmi; Nino‐Murcia, Alejandro; Wang, Haibo; Wall, Anji
• Is Part Of: American journal of transplantation. Volume 22:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 371
• Page End: 380
• Publication Date: 2021-11-15
• Subjects: editorial/personal viewpoint -- ethics -- ethics and public policy -- infection and infectious agents—viral -- infectious disease -- law/legislation -- organ transplantation in general -- recipient selection -- vaccine -- waitlist management; Transplantation of organs, tissues, etc -- Periodicals; 617.95
• DOI: 10.1111/ajt.16878
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1600-6135

Abstract

Abstract : Transplant centers seeking to increase coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccine coverage may consider requiring vaccination for healthcare workers or for candidates. The authors summarize current data to inform an ethical analysis of the harms, benefits, and individual and societal impact of mandatory vaccination, concluding that vaccine requirements for healthcare workers and transplant candidates are ethically justified by beneficence, net utility, and fiduciary duty to patients and public health. Implementation strategies should mitigate concerns about respect for autonomy and transparency for both groups. We clarify how the same arguments might be applied to related questions of caregiver vaccination, allocation of other healthcare resources, and mandates for non‐COVID‐19 vaccines. Finally, we call for effort to achieve global equity in vaccination as soon as possible. Abstract : An international group of authors summarizes ethical arguments on vaccine mandates in transplantation, concluding that it is ethically justifiable to require vaccination of healthcare workers and transplant candidates. Silverstein comments on page 335 .