vaccine

Justin Bernstein, assistant professor of philosophy at UVA, studies questions at the intersection of political philosophy and bioethics, particularly public health. His research on vaccine mandates examines how philosophical arguments about harm, justice and individual liberty can shape public-health policy.
Humanities

UVA Philosopher Challenges a Common Argument for Vaccine Mandates

UVA philosopher Justin Bernstein questions whether Mill’s harm principle truly justifies vaccine mandates, especially when herd immunity limits an individual’s impact on others. In a new paper, he argues justice-based reasoning—weighing competing entitlements rather than direct harm—may offer a stronger philosophical foundation for mandates covering diseases like measles and COVID-19.