The interactions of ethical notions and moral values of immediate stakeholders of immunisation services in two Indian states: a qualitative study

OBJECTIVES: This study examines the existing norms regarding immunization within the communities and the ethical notions that govern the action of different health professionals and their collective synergistic or conflicting effect on governance of the programme. Design: We used descriptive and analytical qualitative methods as it suited the research question. SETTING: The data was collected from areas under 16 Primary Health Centres in Kerala and Tamil Nadu identified through three-step sampling process. PARTICIPANTS: This involved in-depth interview with stakeholders including providers, beneficiaries and other stakeholders, focus group discussions with mother of under five children and participant and non-participant observations of vaccination related activities. RESULTS: Unlike most other ethical analysis that looks at ethics of vaccination policies, the interactions of normative principles and notions are analysed in this article. Moral obligation of parents towards their childre...