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2020 has seen our shops, bars, restaurants, theatres – and science centres! – forced to close in response to the pandemic. With people’s physical and mental health at risk and the economy crashing, should the COVID-19 vaccine be compulsory for everyone? Join our online debate!
Some countries already have mandatory vaccination programmes, with France and Italy requiring all children to have certain vaccinations in order to attend school. The idea of allowing bars, restaurants and workplaces to refuse entry to people without proof of vaccination has been floated, but does compulsory vaccination play to people’s mistrust of vaccines? With the repeated forced closures of businesses, can we afford for people to not get vaccinated?
The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines is cause for concern for some, but the more people who receive a vaccine, the more useful it will be. Where do we draw the line between the Government’s responsibility to protect public health and one’s autonomy over their body? Is it better to persuade people with a gentle nudge, or invoke restrictions to push them into it?
