Immunisation and the law: compulsion or parental choice?
A debate has been developing in Nursing Standard on the issue of childhood immunizations. This article adds to the discussion by considering the likelihood of legislation being introduced to make immunisation compulsory in the UK. It also discusses how the courts approach an application for childhood vaccination against the wishes of a parent and the implications for nursing practice of that approach.
Griffith
Richard
R
University of Wales, Swansea. richard.griffith@swan.ac.uk
D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002755:Choice Behavior; D006078:Government Programs / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D037141:Mandatory Programs / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D032541:Mass Vaccination / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000451:nursing; D033282:Parental Consent; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D006113:United Kingdom; D035141:Voluntary Programs / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*