Session: Navigating Stigma and (Mis)Perception in Public Discourse
The fentanyl vaccine moonshot: navigating the ethics of the development and distribution of a novel vaccine
Friday, October 13, 2023
9:30 AM – 10:45 AM ET
Location: Atlantic (Third Floor)
The opioid epidemic, fueled in large part by synthetic opioids, is a major public health crisis in the United States, resulting in up to 70,000 deaths each year. Fentanyl is particularly concerning due to its frequent use as an adulterant in other drugs, often unbeknownst to the user, resulting in a high risk of dependence or overdose. Though still in early stages, the development of a fentanyl vaccine has the potential to curb these negative outcomes by producing antibodies that prevent fentanyl from crossing the blood-brain barrier. Given the urgency of the growing opioid epidemic, federal and state governments should encourage a push for the rapid development, approval, and uptake of this vaccine similar to Operation Warpspeed’s expedited deployment of COVID-19 vaccines. This paper aims to evaluate several unique ethical considerations arising from the introduction of this novel form of vaccine. Unlike traditional vaccines, which target external contagions, the fentanyl vaccine targets an active behavior, presenting new challenges in promoting equitable access and effective distribution while combating stigma and vaccine skepticism. The vaccine may also invite unintended consequences for those with chronic pain or addiction issues while potentially obscuring other forms of treatment for those populations. Each of these factors will require innovative and potentially undesirable solutions, but the tragic loss of life brought on by the opioid epidemic every day demands an urgent action.