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The Ethical Principles Of The Flu Vaccine Essay

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Influenza is a respiratory infection caused by a range of flu virus. The virus is very contagious and can cause mild to severe illness and even death. Droplets spread the virus, especially when infected people cough, sneeze or talk. Touching a contaminated surface or object can also transmit the virus. Getting vaccinated annually is the best method of averting the flu virus. When there is a vaccine shortage, it will be fair and ethical to give the vaccine to the most vulnerable or high-risk members of the society such as; those with asthma, diabetes, and heart diseases, children and the elderly and most importantly health care workers. Selling the vaccine will undermine those at high risk who cannot afford to buy the vaccine. The ethical principles of Utilitarian and egalitarianism are the contending principles for rationing the seasonal flu vaccine.
As an asthma patient, Alison doesn’t fall in the high-risk group as stated by the Santa Clara County. The truth is that, when the influenza vaccine scarcity happens, some people will suffer who could have been protected under typical situations. However, it is imperative to apply the rules of conduct based on the concepts of what is ethically virtuous or malicious. Rationing is the dissemination of any needed goods or services that are in limited supply to those who need it in agreement with a set of rules that assure fair distribution. Regulating the supply of the flu vaccine will need fairness in how every individual is

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