Ethical Considerations in Implementing Mandatory Hepatitis B Vaccination Policies for Healthcare Workers in Sub-Saharan Africa - Abstract
Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a significant public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa, with healthcare workers (HCWs) at elevated occupational risk due
to frequent exposure to blood and bodily fluids. As a preventive measure, the implementation of mandatory vaccination policies for HCWs has gained attention globally. However,
the ethical implications of such policies, particularly in low-resource settings, remain underexplored. This scoping review aims to examine the ethical considerations surrounding the
implementation of mandatory Hepatitis B vaccination policies among healthcare workers in sub-Saharan Africa.
Methodology: A scoping review approach was adopted to systematically explore the literature related to mandatory vaccination policies for HCWs in sub-Saharan Africa,
focusing on ethical issues. A comprehensive search strategy was employed, utilizing multiple academic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Studies were selected
based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Relevant articles addressing ethical concerns, policy frameworks, and vaccination uptake were analyzed to identify key themes
and insights.
Ethical Considerations: The review highlights several ethical principles involved in mandatory vaccination policies, including beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and justice.
Key ethical challenges identified include balancing public health objectives with individual autonomy, ensuring equitable access to vaccines for all healthcare workers (especially those
in rural or marginalized areas), and addressing the moral responsibility of healthcare workers to protect their patients and colleagues. Additionally, ethical governance structures and
transparent policy enforcement are discussed to ensure fairness and accountability.
Conclusion: The review concludes that while mandatory vaccination policies are essential for protecting public health and occupational safety, they must be designed with careful
attention to ethical principles. Policymakers must prioritize justice, equity, and transparency, while also considering the diverse socio-cultural and economic contexts in which these policies
are implemented. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects and sustainability of such policies in sub-Saharan Africa.