Q&A: Waiting with Vaccination Until Others Get Vaccinated
Waiting with Vaccination Until Others Get Vaccinated
Question
Suppose a new vaccine comes out, and all the experts say that a few million people need to be vaccinated, and then after a month they will be able to announce definitively whether the vaccine is safe. Taking everything into account, no one wants to be among the first millions. Just as in other matters, where I cannot place the public obligation only on others, is that true here as well — that a person is supposed to neutralize the consideration of wanting to be later, and go get the initial vaccination as usual? Is he entitled to demand compensation for this?
Answer
I don’t think a person has to sacrifice himself if he is afraid of something because of the categorical imperative. If he trusts the experts, then he should act accordingly. But if not, then I do not see such an obligation. He can of course demand compensation for it. The question is whether they will give it to him. You can demand money for anything.