Post a summary of the issue you selected including how the issue demonstrates conflict between individual rights and society's needs.
Identify the government agency—specific to your issue—that is in charge of protecting the public and what methods the agency employs to protect its population.
Explain whether in this case you, as a public health professional, support the individual's rights or the public's needs and why.
The issue selected is the mandatory vaccination policy and its conflict with individual rights. Vaccination policies mandate that certain individuals, such as children attending school, must be immunized to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. This policy demonstrates a conflict between individual rights and society's needs as it requires individuals to give up their personal autonomy for the greater goal of public health and disease prevention.
The government agency responsible for protecting the public in this case is usually the Department of Health or its equivalent at the state or national level. This agency employs various methods to protect the population, such as promoting awareness campaigns about the importance of vaccination, conducting research on vaccines' safety and effectiveness, and implementing vaccination programs through public health clinics or schools.
As a public health professional, the support would lean towards the public's needs rather than individual rights. Vaccination is crucial for preventing the spread of infectious diseases, protecting vulnerable populations, and achieving herd immunity. While individual rights are important, they should not supersede the collective well-being of society. Mandating vaccinations is a necessary measure to minimize the risk of outbreaks and ensure the health and safety of the population. However, it is crucial for the government agency to provide accessible and accurate information, address concerns, and respect exemptions based on medical or religious reasons.