In vaccine campaigns—especially during public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic—medical professionals often face the challenge of encouraging widespread vaccination while also respecting individual rights. Patient autonomy is a fundamental principle in medicine, yet high vaccine uptake is critical to achieving herd immunity and protecting vulnerable populations.
How can healthcare providers ethically and effectively balance the need to respect patient autonomy with their responsibility to promote public health and encourage vaccination? What communication strategies or policy approaches can help achieve this balance without compromising trust or freedom of choice?