I applaud the Japanese government for taking a more ethical approach to vaccinations by providing citizens with the right to make their own healthcare decisions. The country has announced that vaccines are encouraged, but not mandatory:
“Although we encourage all citizens to receive the COVID-19 vaccination, it is not compulsory or mandatory. Vaccination will be given only with the consent of the person to be vaccinated after the information provided.”
The vaccines will now contain warning labels, like all drugs aside from the COVID-19 vaccines list. “This product contains an additive that has never been used in a vaccine before,” will be listed in the product description. Side effects such as myocarditis will be noted on the packaging to ensure transparency; those who choose to take the vaccine should understand the risks involved. The country is taking things a step further by requiring strict reporting of vaccination side effects that must be filed within 28 days of receiving the second injection. Instead of assuming their citizens are sheep who will blindly follow orders, the Japanese government is giving the people a choice while providing them with factual information. It will be interesting to see what side effects the Japanese government compiles as no other country currently provides real pellucidity.
Furthermore, and perhaps equally as important as banning a mandate, the Japanese government said that neither public nor private sectors may discriminate against unvaccinated people. Prohibiting discrimination against individual medical decisions is a change from most developed countries that now treat a portion of their population like lepers of society.
“Please get vaccinated of your own decision, understanding both the effectiveness in preventing infectious diseases and the risk of side effects. No vaccination will be given without consent. Please do not force anyone in your workplace or those who around you to be vaccinated, and do not discriminate against those who have not been vaccinated.”
