Exploring the ethics of genetic prioritisation for COVID-19 vaccines

Journal article

AbstractThere is evidence to suggest that host genomic factors may account for disease response variability in COVID-19 infection. In this paper, we consider if and how host genomics should influence decisions about vaccine allocation. Three potential host genetic factors are explored: vulnerability to infection, resistance to infection, and increased infectivity. We argue for the prioritisation of the genetically vulnerable in vaccination schemes, and evaluate the potential for ethical de-prioritisation of individuals with genetic markers for resistance. Lastly, we discuss ethical prioritisation of individuals with genetic markers for increased infectivity (those more likely to spread COVID-19).

Authors: Bruce, J; Johnson, SB

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Springer Nature [academic journals on nature.com]
• Journal: European Journal of Human Genetics
• Volume: 30
• Issue: 8
• Pages: 875-879
• Publication date: 2022-03-07
• DOI: 10.1038/s41431-022-01058-1
• EISSN: 1476-5438
• ISSN: 1018-4813
• Language: English
• Keywords: Immunology; 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak; Host (biology); Infectivity; Resistance (ecology); Medicine; Genome; Vulnerability (computing); Vaccination; Infectious disease (medical specialty); Biology; Host resistance; Genetics; Gene; Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2); Virology; Outbreak; Disease; Genomics; Virus; Computer science