‘In the absence of a mandatory vaccine policy, the government can consider other lesser restrictive options. They are as follows:
- The government can emphasise the educational approach on the vaccine-hesitant population by informing them of the risk-benefit analysis of the vaccine and the importance of taking the vaccine while also addressing their concerns.
- The government can use behaviour nudge techniques, such as providing incentives or gift cards as the cost incurred will be minimal in comparison to them contracting Covid-19.
- The government should actively ensure they clamp down on disinformation on social media that further reinforces the false belief of people who hold such extreme views.
- The health ministry should release data and statistics that are available to bring
- transparency to help the vaccine-hesitant population make an informed decision.
- Teachers should not be allowed to teach in schools if they are not vaccinated and continue teaching from home until they get vaccinated.
- Those who are fully vaccinated can play their role by sharing their experiences as studies have shown people tend to believe their own peers. Social media influencers can use their star power to influence the fence-sitters.
- The education ministry should consider setting up vaccination centres at schools and provide counselling for school children who refuse vaccines.
‘In a nutshell, the government should navigate through this ethical dilemma cautiously. The government should consider other less restrictive alternatives that will protect the individual’s self-determination which is also in the state’s interest.’
Read here (Free Malaysia Today, Sept 12, 2021)
