The Case agains Hepatitis Vaccine Mandates

The mandate of Hepatitis vaccines at childbirth always bothered me. 1000 US babies each year get Hepatitis from their infected mother. 90% will get chronic Hepatitis. However, there are nearly 4 million babies born each year. The at-risk babies need their infected mothers to be identified. This takes just a simple prenatal Hepatitis screening. Those who are positive should have their newborn babies vaccinated. 

There may be very beneficial vaccines. However, mandating them removes the basic right patients have to have informed consent, allowing each to make their own decision. The idea is not popular, however. Informed consent takes time and effort. In addition, drug companies and others profit from mandates, which allow for more doses while sacrificing patients' autonomy and choice.