Ethical Dilemma in Vaccination in Indonesia: Balance Between Public Health Obligations and Individual Autonomy Rights.

  • A. Ikram Rifqi Doctoral Program in Public Health, Hasanuddin University, Makassar
  • Hertiana Doctoral Program in Public Health, Hasanuddin University, Makassar
  • Yulinda Novita Tubuon Doctoral Program in Public Health, Hasanuddin University, Makassar
  • Hariani Doctoral Program in Public Health, Hasanuddin University, Makassar
  • Siti Rahma Doctoral Program in Public Health, Hasanuddin University, Makassar
  • Indar Faculty of Public Health, Hasanuddin University, Makassar
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56338/promotif.v14i2.6562
Keywords: Vaccination, Vaccination Ethics, Individual Autonomy, Public Health, Indonesia

Abstract

Background: Vaccination is a biological product containing antigens that actively stimulate specific immunity against certain diseases. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, high vaccination coverage among children in Indonesia played a critical role in reducing morbidity from vaccine-preventable diseases. However, the pandemic disrupted the national immunization program, as UNICEF reports highlighted a decline in vaccination coverage due to mobility restrictions and parental concerns over COVID-19 exposure. This decline increased the risk of outbreaks of preventable diseases such as measles and diphtheria. The ethical dilemma of vaccination arises between the public health obligation to prevent disease spread and the individual autonomy to make personal health decisions, including vaccination. This study aims to identify the ethical challenges of vaccination in Indonesia, analyze the factors influencing public attitudes toward vaccines, and provide policy recommendations.

Method: A literature review methodology was employed, encompassing articles in both Indonesian and English languages, with keywords including "vaccination ethics," "individual autonomy," "public health obligations," and "Indonesia."

Result: The study findings highlight the tension between government efforts to achieve herd immunity and individual rights, as well as challenges in vaccine distribution in remote areas.

Conclusion: In conclusion, vaccination policies in Indonesia should prioritize balancing public health interests and individual rights, emphasizing public education and strengthening vaccine distribution infrastructure.

References

Irma Hidayana,Sulfikar Amir ,Dicky C. Pelupessy,Using a health belief model to assess COVID-19 vaccine intention and hesitancy in Jakarta, Indonesia, Published: October 28, 2022https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0000934

Kementerian Kesehatan Republik Indonesia. (2021). Informasi Vaksinasi Nasional COVID-19. Diakses dari www.kemkes.go.id.

Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI). (2021). Fatwa tentang Kehalalan Vaksin COVID-19. Jakarta: MUI.

Nurhidayah, A., & Fauziah, N. (2022). "Peran Tokoh Agama dalam Mengurangi Keraguan Vaksinasi." Jurnal Komunikasi Sosial, 14(1), 98–112.

Prasetyo, W., & Haryanto, A. (2021). "Ketimpangan Akses Vaksinasi di Indonesia: Studi Kasus Daerah Terpencil." Jurnal Pembangunan Sosial, 8(1), 45–58.

Rachmawati, E., & Setiawan, T. (2020). "Pengaruh Misinformasi terhadap Keraguan Masyarakat terhadap Vaksinasi di Indonesia." Jurnal Kesehatan Masyarakat Indonesia, 15(3), 189–196.

Rano K. Sinuraya, Rina F. Nuwarda, Maarten J. Postma & Auliya A. Suwantika . Vaccine hesitancy and equity: lessons learned from the past and how they affect the COVID-19 countermeasure in Indonesia. Globalization and Health volume 20, Article number: 11 (2024)

Ryan Rachmad Nugraha, Adriana Viola Miranda, Attaullah Ahmadi & Don Eliseo Lucero-Prisno III, Accelerating Indonesian COVID-19 vaccination rollout: a critical task amid the second wave, Tropical Medicine and Health volume 49, Article number: 76 (2021)

Susilo, D. (2021). "Kendala Sosial-Budaya dalam Pelaksanaan Program Vaksinasi di Wilayah Terpencil Indonesia." Jurnal Kebijakan Publik, 11(2), 23–30.

UNICEF Indonesia. (2021). Laporan Distribusi dan Edukasi Vaksinasi COVID-19. Diakses dari www.unicef.org/indonesia.

WHO Indonesia. (2021). Vaccine Misinformation Management Field Guide. World Health Organization.

WHO, COVID-19 vaccination post introduction evaluation (cPIE) in Indonesia, 2022

WHO, COVID-19 Vaccine Post-Introduction Evaluation (cPIE), 2023

Published
2024-12-27
Issue
Vol. 14 No. 2: DESEMBER 2024
Section
Article

Copyright (c) 2024 A. Ikram Rifqi, Hertiana, Yulinda Novita Tubuon, Hariani, Siti Rahma, Indar

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

  1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
  2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
  3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.

The content of this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) license. Creative Commons License