Public health as a limit to the right to scientific research in the case of vaccines

Abstract

The boom of the anti-vaccine movement in general, and scientific research and of publications that discredit vaccination in particular, represent a serious threat to public health. Since fundamental rights and freedoms may be limited in the name of public health, it might be thought that, in its name, research and dissemination of scientific material that questions the practice of vaccination could also be limited. The objective of this article will be to verify if this hypothesis would be compatible with the current regime of rights and freedoms, and to point out the best way to address the anti-vaccine discourse.