Cifci, Dilan

Ekgreen, Freja Helbo

Hansen, Petrine Langsø

Kirkensgaard, Sara Cecilie Bagger

Riisgaard, Eva Kopylova

Tvarnø, William

Dette 3. semesterprojekt omhandler distribueringen af et begrænset antal vacciner med fokus på nytte- og pligtetiske synspunkter. Distribueringen af 400.000 doser 23-valent Pneumococcal Polysaccharide (PPV23) vacciner mod Streptococcus pneumoniae anvendes som case. For at give et kvalificeret bud på, hvilke individer vaccinerne skal distribueres til, redegøres der for bakterien S. pneumoniae, PPV23 vaccinen, forskellige etiske teorier og hvilke grupper der er i risiko for udvikling af invasive pneumokoksygdomme (IPS). Yderligere er der fundet IPS incidenser for kronisk syge og for forskellige aldersgrupper. Rapporten fremlægger teorierne bag nytte- og pligtetik, hvor de efterfølgende anvendes i distribueringen af vaccinedoserne. Nytteetikken prioriterer distribueringen af vacciner til risikogrupperne: sundhedspersonalet og individer med kroniske sygdomme. Distribueringen foregår på baggrund af nyttemaksimeringen. Derimod prioriterer pligtetikken individer med kroniske sygdomme, på baggrund af Kants kategoriske principper og den gyldne regel. Det vurderes, at nytte- og pligtetiske overvejelser har mangler, og derved burde blandingsetiske overvejelser benyttes til distribueringen af et begrænset antal vacciner. Blandingsetik inddrager væsentlige etiske overvejelser, der bliver sat i kontekst med videnskab, hvilket kan bidrage til en mere virkelighedsnær vurdering. Hertil distribueres PPV23 vaccinerne til sundhedspersonalet, individer med kroniske leversygdomme eller lungesygdomme under 65 og alle kroniske syge individer over 65.This 3. semester project examines the distribution of a limited number of vaccines with focus on utilitarian and deontic ethical views. The distribution of 400,000 doses 23-valent Pneumococcal Polysaccharide (PPV23) vaccines against Streptococcus pneumoniae is used as a case example. A review of the bacteria S. pneumoniae, the PPV23 vaccine, different ethical theories and which groups who are at risk of contracting invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPD) are provided in order to give a qualified assessment of which individuals the vaccines should be distributed to. Furthermore, IPD incidence have been found for different groups of chronically ill individuals and for different age groups. This report presents the theories behind utilitarian and deontic ethics for usage in the distribution of the vaccine doses. Utilitarian ethics prioritizes the distribution of vaccines to risk groups that include healthcare workers and individuals with chronic diseases. The distribution occurs based on a cost-benefit analysis. In contrast, the deontic ethics will also prioritize individuals with chronic diseases, which is based on Kant’s categorical principles with the inclusion of the golden rule. This report assesses that utilitarian and deontic ethical considerations have shortcomings. Therefore, a combination of both ethics should be applied in the distribution of a limited number of vaccines. A combination of both ethics includes essential ethical considerations that are put in context to scientific knowledge, which can contribute to a realistic assessment. Thus, the PPV23 vaccines will be distributed to healthcare workers, individuals with chronic liver or lung disease under the age of 64, and all individuals above 64 with any chronic disease

Ethical considerations regarding distribution of a limited amount of humane vaccines

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Roskilde Universitet