In recent years, vaccines have been found to be the most effective tool for
mass protection of people against infectious communicable diseases. Despite
technological advancements, the obligation of these essential preventive healthcare
treatments, to date, remains a subject of debate and, to an extent, opposition arising
from vaccine hesitancy and/or vaccine opposition. The COVID-19 pandemic
exacerbated shortages in resources and personnel owing to its rapid spread globally.
With little known about this uncommon disease, efforts for early development of
vaccines to achieve herd immunity, control disease transmission and reduce morbidity
and mortality were undertaken. The emergence and administration of vaccines raised
ethical concerns about loss of liberty and autonomy under mandatory provisions. This
chapter aims to highlight the processes through which an infectious disease such as
COVID-19 is politicized and securitized in the global policy arena, driving the
development and administration of vaccines as specific protection. It further discusses
the ways in which COVID-19 vaccine sufficed ethical standards for mandatory
vaccination programs.
Keywords: Bio-medical ethics, COVID-19, Securitization, Vaccine hesitancy.
