Individual freedom and the right to healthcare: a legal analysis of mandatory vaccination for children in Brazil

Abstract

This study assays the possible conflict between the individual freedom of citizens and the individual duty of those responsible to vaccinate children, under the incidence of the collective right to health.. The methodology used in this study involves reviewing current legislation, analyzing data on vaccination coverage and evaluating the main controversies related to the topic. The results achieved indicate that, although Brazilian legislation is robust in guaranteeing childhood vaccination, vaccine hesitancy persists as a significant obstacle. The analysis revealed that the ethical and legal implications of this obligation need to be continually discussed to balance individual rights and collective health.