J Med Ethics. 2014 Aug 18. pii: medethics-2014-102383. doi: 10.1136/medethics-2014-102383. [Epub ahead of print]

Refugees, humanitarian aid and the right to decline vaccinations.

Caplan AL, Curry DR.

Author information

• Population Health, Medical Ethics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.

Abstract

Recent instances of governments and others refusing humanitarian assistance to refugees and IDPs (internally-displaced persons) unless they agreed to polio immunization for their children raise difficult ethical challenges. The authors argue that states have the right and a responsibility to require such vaccinations in instances where the serious vaccine-preventable disease(s) at issue threaten others, including local populations, humanitarian workers, and others in camps or support settings.