Reference:
Lötter, C. (2024). The constitutional case against the mandatory vaccine policy — An interdisciplinary South African perspective. PER / PELJ, 2024(27). http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/1727-3781/2024/v27i0a14109
Summary:
Casper Lötter’s article critiques South Africa’s mandatory vaccine policy, arguing it is unconstitutional and unjustifiable. Using a critical public health framework alongside social sciences, Lötter asserts that the policy reflects a Western-centric curative medicine approach, neglecting effective preventive strategies. He highlights the detrimental impact of the vaccine mandate on individual rights and public trust, suggesting that it perpetuates health apartheid, contradicting President Ramaphosa’s earlier criticisms of such inequities. The examination of constitutional law reveals that the mandate fails to meet the criteria for justified limitations on rights. Lötter concludes that the policy’s alignment with corporate interests, particularly those of Big Pharma, undermines its legitimacy, advocating for a broader, more nuanced analysis of public health policies that incorporates diverse perspectives.