Value judgments in a COVID-19 vaccination model: A case study in the need for public involvement in health-oriented modelling

Stephanie Harvard; Eric Winsberg; John Symons; Amin Adibi

doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114323

Value judgments in a COVID-19 vaccination model: A case study in the need for public involvement in health-oriented modelling

Soc Sci Med. 2021 Oct:286:114323. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114323. Epub 2021 Aug 18.

Authors

Stephanie Harvard¹, Eric Winsberg², John Symons³, Amin Adibi⁴

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2405, Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6T 1Z3. Electronic address: stephanie.harvard@ubc.ca.
² Department of Philosophy, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, FAO 226, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA.
³ Department of Philosophy, University of Kansas, 1450 Jayhawk Blvd, Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA.
⁴ Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2405, Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6T 1Z3.

Abstract

Scientific modelling is a value-laden process: the decisions involved can seldom be made using 'scientific' criteria alone, but rather draw on social and ethical values. In this paper, we draw on a body of philosophical literature to analyze a COVID-19 vaccination model, presenting a case study of social and ethical value judgments in health-oriented modelling. This case study urges us to make value judgments in health-oriented models explicit and interpretable by non-experts and to invite public involvement in making them.

Keywords: COVID-19; Health policy; Modelling; PPI; Patient and public involvement; Vaccination; Values.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

COVID-19 Vaccines
COVID-19*
Humans
Judgment*
SARS-CoV-2
Vaccination

Substances

COVID-19 Vaccines