Pediatric Off-Label Use of Covid-19 Vaccines: Ethical and Legal Considerations

Authors

Elizabeth Lanphier, University of Cincinnati College of MedicineFollow
Shannon Fyfe, Washington and Lee University School of LawFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Hastings Center Report

Publication Date

2021

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1002/hast.1296

Abstract

After briefly contextualizing ethical and legal precedents regarding off-label use, we offer an analysis of the ethical permissibility of and considerations for pediatric off-label Covid-19 vaccination based on individual benefits, risks, and available alternatives. Our analysis challenges the ethics of the blanket prohibition against off-label pediatric Covid-19 vaccination in the VPA, as it blocks clinicians from providing the care they may determine to be clinically and ethically appropriate for their patient. At the same time, our analysis acknowledges that Covid-19 creates population-level ethical considerations that are at times in tension with individual health interests.

Recommended Citation

Elizabeth Lanphier & Shannon Fyfe, Pediatric Off-Label Use of Covid-19 Vaccines: Ethical and Legal Considerations, Hastings Ctr. Rpt., Nov.-Dec. 2021, at 27.