We have previously written about the challenge public health faces in balancing the — sometimes — competing demands of equity and efficiency. Health equity, one of the core principles that animates public health, suggests that we should implement any health-related effort such that those who are most vulnerable are protected first. Efficiency refers to the success of our efforts in promoting the health of populations. These two goals can be aligned much, if not most of the time. We can promote population health while leading, first, with promoting the health of those who are most vulnerable. And when the two principles are in conflict, it is probably generally right to privilege health equity, to help push against injustice that has left some groups lagging on health.
With that in mind, we applaud the principles that have been widely articulated and that have been informing the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine in the United States. Broadly speaking, these guidelines prioritize vaccination of health care providers and persons who are at high risk of contracting Covid-19, ensuring that those groups are vaccinated before others. This approach correctly recognizes that those at higher risk need to be protected first, and, reassuringly, most states have embraced these principles and have been implementing their vaccination plans accordingly, even establishing fines for any vaccine providers who do not comply with these guidelines.
Read the full article on The Turning Point.