Anthrax Vaccine -- posts by Meryl Nass, M.D.

This blog began in 2007, focusing on anthrax vaccine, and later expanded to other public health and political issues. The blog links to media reports, medical literature, official documents and other materials.

Saturday, July 13, 2019

AMA ties itself in knots because its own ethical code disputes its current position in favor of mandatory vaccinations




AMA Code of Medical Ethics Opinion 2.2.1
https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/ethics/pediatric-decision-making

As the persons best positioned to understand their child’s unique needs and interests, parents (or guardians) are asked to fill the dual responsibility of protecting their children and, at the same time, empowering them and promoting development of children’s capacity to become independent decision makers. In giving or withholding permission for medical treatment for their children, parents/guardians are expected to safeguard their children’s physical health and well-being and to nurture their children’s developing personhood and autonomy.
But parents’ authority as decision makers does not mean children should have no role in the decision-making process. Respect and shared decision making remain important in the context of decisions for minors. Thus, physicians should evaluate minor patients to determine if they can understand the risks and benefits of proposed treatment and tailor disclosure accordingly. The more mature a minor patient is, the better able to understand what a decision will mean, and the more clearly the child can communicate preferences, the stronger the ethical obligation to seek minor patients’ assent to treatment. Except when immediate intervention is essential to preserve life or avert serious, irreversible harm, physicians and parents/guardians should respect a child’s refusal to assent, and when circumstances permit should explore the child’s reason for dissent.
(a) Provide compassionate, humane care to all pediatric patients.
(b) Negotiate with parents/guardians a shared understanding of the patient’s medical and psychosocial needs and interests in the context of family relationships and resources.
(c) Develop an individualized plan of care that will best serve the patient, basing treatment recommendations on the best available evidence and in general preferring alternatives that will not foreclose important future choices by the adolescent and adult the patient will become. Where there are questions about the efficacy or long-term impact of treatment alternatives, physicians should encourage ongoing collection of data to help clarify value to patients of different approaches to care...
(g) When it is not clear whether a specific intervention promotes the patient’s interests, respect the decision of the patient (if the patient has capacity and is able to express a preference) and parents/guardians.


Meryl Nass, M.D. at 1:47 PM
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Meryl Nass, M.D.
Most-cited papers of mine include one investigating Zimbabwe's major anthrax epidemic and a review of anthrax vaccine's usefulness in biological warfare. A November, 2001 Congressional testimony in response to the anthrax letters may also be of interest. Below, I've posted photos taken when I'm not at work or in front of the computer. Contact me at merylnass@gmail.com or 207 412-0004 when I'm home.
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