From the National Catholic Bioethics Center regarding COVID vaccine mandates that would include children and other vulnerable persons:
We emphasize the importance of respecting the rightful role of parents or legal representatives in making medical decisions for minors or others incapable of giving their own consent. These decisions must be made on a case-by-case basis with careful weight given to all ethically relevant factors including the potential burdens and benefits. The updated NCBC statement also recalls the higher ethical standards required in medical research, including the need for appreciable direct benefits to research participants themselves as distinct from benefits accruing solely to other people. Research data strongly suggests that children are the demographic group at lowest risk of harm from COVID-19. Parents and society have a particular duty to protect vulnerable children and others who cannot make their own medical decisions.
Mandating COVID-19 immunization with the currently available vaccines in the absence of generous medical, conscience, and religious exemptions raises ethical concerns, especially when dealing with young populations.
Click here to read the NCBC’s updated statement on COVID vaccines.
Click here to read the entire press release.