COVID-19 vaccine mandates have become a hotly contested issue, as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations rebound nationwide, driven by the highly contagious delta variant and unswerving vaccine hesitancy. New York City will soon be the first major U.S. city to require proof of vaccination to enter restaurants, gyms, and other indoor public spaces. Dr. Marty Makary, a professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and editor in chief of MedPage Today, argues that mandating vaccines for “every living, walking American” is, as of now, not well-supported by science. Moreover Makary, author of “The Price We Pay: What Broke American Health Care—and How to Fix It,” has concerns about the two-dose vaccine regimen for young people.
As told to Lindsay Lyon as part of Two Takes, a U.S. News series examining opinions about key issues. Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
Should all Americans be required to get the COVID-19 vaccine?
No. As a physician with a lot of experience dealing with patients who don’t follow what we ask them to do, I believe you win more bees with honey than fire. Read the rest of the Op-Ed Commentary on U.S. News and World Report
Why COVID-19 Vaccines Should Not Be Required for All Americans
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