The decision to receive a vaccine (or not)


Obviously, no medical intervention is 100% safe and each person does a cost-benefit or risk analysis and comes to the conclusion to either receive a vaccine (or other medical intervention) or not.

This decision will depend upon the perceived likelihood of contracting the disease in question, the expected severity of the disease, the perceived preventative power of the vaccine and any concerns about unwanted side-effects from the vaccine.

Clearly, such is decision is never black or white, although many naïve souls seem to argue that it is!

When an epidemic breaks out clearly the incentive to have a vaccine will be greater, as will be the case if the disease is potentially deadly to seemingly healthy individuals.

In most other cases, the decision will not be so black and white, and will depend upon personal preference and perceived risk factors.

Comments