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When it comes to vaccines - why are people talking about 'Health is not business' ?

Pharmaceutical profits are immoral

Some people may feel that vaccines are contrary to their moral stance. Vaccines may be perceived as promoting immoral behaviour or as having been developed using immoral means.

Moral concerns differ from religious concerns because even though morality may stem from religious beliefs, faith is not a necessary condition for developing certain moral positions. For example, people may oppose abortion for moral reasons without appealing to religious beliefs.

Moral concerns about vaccines often arise in the context of sexuality. For example the vaccine against human papilloma virus (HPV) which is sexually transmitted may be seen to encourage sexual activity.

Moral concerns may also arise around the use of foetal cell lines in vaccine production or the alleged mistreatment of animals during vaccine development processes.

This theme portrays pharmaceutical profits as being inherently immoral, rejecting the notion that anyone should make money from healthcare.

It is often related to distrust of the pharmaceutical industry and the perception that companies profit at the expense of ordinary people, but additionally places a moral judgement on this profit-seeking behaviour.

Is there any truth in it?

The pharmaceutical industry does make money with vaccines. Critically questioning the motives and moral standards of industries is important. Many scientists and public health organisations agree that it is not right that pharmaceutical companies are making money while developing countries can’t afford life-saving vaccines.

What could I say to someone fixed on this belief?

Dialogue between patients and healthcare professionals is most productive if it is guided by empathy, and an opportunity for the patient to affirm the reasons underlying their attitudes and to express understanding for that. That’s why it is important to understand the attitude roots behind people’s overt opinions. To affirm a person’s underlying attitude root does not mean we need to agree with the specifics of their argument. For example, we can acknowledge that:

The pharmaceutical industry does make money with vaccines. Critically questioning the motives and moral standards of industries is important. Many scientists and public health organisations agree that it is not right that pharmaceutical companies are making money while developing countries can’t afford life-saving vaccines.



Having set the stage through this (partial) affirmation, we can then proceed to correct the patient’s particular misconception.

Both vaccine proponents and opponents profit from the health industry. Pharmaceutical companies earn money from vaccines and medicines such as painkillers and antibiotics, which we all rely on for our health. They also invest a lot of money into researching and developing new treatments.

Profits aren’t limited to pharmaceutical companies. Other people and companies also make lots of money, for example by selling alternative health products.

It is important to consider what is best for our health. Vaccines are the best way to protect ourselves and others from disease, and vaccine safety and effectiveness are regulated by governments. Whether or not companies profit from it, our health is still important.

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