Varicella-zoster virus vaccination under the exogenous boosting hypothesis: two ethical perspectives

Luyten, Jeroen, Ogunjimi, Benson and Beutels, Philippe (2014) Varicella-zoster virus vaccination under the exogenous boosting hypothesis: two ethical perspectives. Vaccine, 32 (52). pp. 7175-7178. ISSN 0264-410X

Preview

PDF - Accepted Version Download (409Kb) | Preview

• LSE expert's profile

• Published item via DOI

Abstract

The varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes two diseases: varicella (‘chickenpox’) and herpes zoster (‘shingles’). VZV vaccination of children reduces exposure to chickenpox in the population and it has been hypothesized that this could increase the prevalence of shingles. This ‘exogenous boosting’ effect of VZV raises an important equity concern: introducing a vaccination program could advance the health of one population group (children) at the expense of another (adults and elderly). We discuss the program's justifiability from two ethical perspectives, classic utilitarianism and contractualism. Whereas the former framework might offer a foundation for the case against introducing this vaccination, the latter offers a basis to justify it.

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	http://www.journals.elsevier.com/vaccine
Additional Information:	© 2014 Elsevier Ltd
Library of Congress subject classification:	H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology Q Science > QR Microbiology > QR180 Immunology R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics > RJ101 Child Health. Child health services
Sets:	Departments > Social Policy
Funders:	The Research Foundation–Flanders
Projects:	FWO, project number G098911N
Date Deposited:	11 Nov 2014 16:14
URL:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/60138/

Actions (login required)

Record administration - authorised staff only