February 5, 2021
Ethical land mines, ‘Sophie’s Choice’ moments as California decides who gets COVID-19 vaccine next
Los Angeles Times, Feb. 5, 2021
Ethical land mines, ‘Sophie’s Choice’ moments as California decides who gets COVID-19 vaccine next
Medical experts said the discussion of prioritization is filled with ethical land mines. “We need to recognize there’s a real danger there — even if only at the symbolic level — of attributing social value to certain people or certain groups,” said Dr. Aaron Kheriaty, director of medical ethics, [school of medicine], at UC Irvine. Kheriaty says that an age-based approach, starting with most elderly, is ethically justifiable, but the question of who should receive the vaccine next remains a complex and ever-changing strategy.