The Daily The Vaccine Mandate Conundrum
Jul 27, 2021
Jennifer Steinhauer, a Washington reporter for The New York Times, dives into the contentious world of vaccine mandates. She discusses how federal and local governments are tackling low vaccination rates, particularly in healthcare settings. The conversation highlights the historical significance of mandates and the political backlash they incite. Steinhauer also sheds light on the Department of Veterans Affairs' vaccine policies and their impact on vulnerable populations, revealing the complexities of balancing public health and individual rights.
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Vaccine rollout phases
- Vaccine rollout has moved through three phases: scarcity, slow uptake, and now a public health crisis with the Delta variant.
- Mandates are increasingly viewed as necessary to control the spread.
Vaccine Mandates: Historical Precedent
- Vaccine mandates are not new; schools and the military have required them.
- George Washington mandated smallpox vaccines for the Continental Army in 1777.
Early Vaccine Mandates in Healthcare and Education
- Colleges, universities, hospitals, and healthcare systems began requiring vaccinations.
- A Texas judge upheld Houston Methodist Hospital's mandate, influencing others.