Should we prioritize the unvaccincated for treatment? Govind Persad and Emily Largent
b'It\\u2019s been a while since we\\u2019ve done a Covid/bioethics podcast (see prior ethics podcasts here, here, here, and here).\\xa0 But Covid is not over and this pandemic keeps raising challenging issues that force us to consider competing ethical considerations.\\xa0\\xa0
This week, we discuss an article by bioethicists Govind Persad and Emily Largent arguing that the NIH guidance for allocation of Paxlovid during conditions of scarcity.\\xa0 They argue that the current guidelines, which prioritize immunocompromised people and unvaccinated older people on the same level, should be re-done to prioritize the immunocompromised first, and additionally move up older vaccinated individuals or vaccinated persons with comorbidities.\\xa0 The basis of their argument is the ethical notion of \\u201creciprocity\\u201d - people who are vaccinated have done something to protect the public health, and we owe them something for taking that action.\\xa0 Eric and I attempt to poke holes in their arguments, resulting in a spirited discussion.
To be sure, Paxlovid is no longer as scarce as it was a few months back.\\xa0 But the argument is important because, as we\\u2019ve seen, new treatments are almost always scarce at the start.\\xa0 Evusheld is the latest case in point.\\xa0
Sometimes, you can\\u2019t always get what you want\\u2026
-@AlexSmithMD
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