Legal Principles and Strategies to Encourage Citizens to Get Vaccinated against COVID-19 Virus

Abstract

Background: Following the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, in some countries, mandatory vaccination programs were put to practice. However, there were widespread opposition against vaccination, which is investigated in this research. Methods: This was a descriptive-analytical research and data collection was conducted by referring to documents, books and articles in library. Results: With the emergence of corona virus in the world and the need to end this dangerous pandemic, various countries, including Iran's legal system, decided to implement "compulsory vaccination" mechanisms. The findings of this study indicated that the government from the perspective of various schools (even the school of individual originality) was not only allowed to legislate rules to make vaccination obligatory, but also it was expected to enact appropriate laws to create public safety. Conclusion: According to the principles of Islamic jurisprudence and law, including the priority of collective interests over the individual, the rule of no harm, and the authority of the Supreme Leader, the government is not only authorized but also obliged to enact laws for making vaccination obligatory.