Legal Reform for Mandatory Vaccination: Safeguarding Children’s Developmental Rights and Advancing Sustainable Development

Nurul Hidayat Ab Rahman; Maskun Maskun; Redwan Yasin; Athirah Mohd Anuar

doi:10.15294/jllr.v7i2.21015

Authors

Nurul Hidayat Ab Rahman Faculty of Law, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1008-4263
Maskun Maskun Faculty of Law, Universitas Hasanuddin, Makassar, Indonesia Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6102-7838
Redwan Yasin National Defense University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Author https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5687-2809
Athirah Mohd Anuar Legal Compliance and Finance, PETRONAS, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Author https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1531-2207

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15294/jllr.v7i2.21015

Keywords:

Children’s Rights, Health Rights, Sustainable Development Goals 2030, SDG 3, Vaccination

Abstract

Vaccination is universally acknowledged as paramount for deterring the spread of infectious diseases and elevating public health. However, recent debates around mandatory vaccination have raised concerns regarding children’s well-being and rights. This article examines the significance of safeguarding children’s developmental rights by implementing mandatory vaccination programs. It delves into the ethical and legal aspects of mandatory vaccination while emphasizing the profound impact that unvaccinated children can have on their developmental rights. It highlights the adverse consequences of vaccine-preventable diseases on children’s physical, cognitive, and emotional development. Furthermore, the article underscores the importance of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (SDG 2030), specifically SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being. Vaccination is pivotal in realizing SDG 3, as it contributes to disease prevention, reduces child mortality rates, and promotes universal access to healthcare. Therefore, the article also introduces the new global strategy, the Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030), which aims to preserve immunization progress, overcome COVID-19 disruptions, and ensure inclusivity and access for everyone, regardless of circumstances or age. This article is based on socio-legal research conducted qualitatively. All data was gathered through library research and thoroughly analyzed using the content analysis method. The paramount considerations are the child’s best interests and developmental rights, as the article also mentioned the parens patriae concept. It concludes that mandatory vaccination aligns with the SDG 2030 goals, ensuring children’s health rights, enabling them to thrive, and fostering a sustainable future while advancing public health and development objectives.

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