LET it not be said that people do not have rights over their own bodies. It should also be stressed that the government cannot force people to be vaccinated if they refuse. But, sometimes, extraordinary situations require extraordinary measures, and while the right of people to choose may be constitutionally guaranteed, where the Bill of Rights protects people against state actions that would diminish those rights, this is in no way absolute. The state retains the power to act to protect other people’s fundamental rights. Hence, even as the state cannot totally criminalize smoking, it can prohibit smoking in certain areas. Private entities can also ban cigarette smokers’ entry without violating the law.
This is precisely why while refusing to be vaccinated remains a right of people, the state and the private sector can opt to impose restrictions on them during extreme situations like the current coronavirus pandemic. It could be possible in the future that only people who are vaccinated can attend face-to-face meetings or have the luxury of traveling. This is to protect the greater societal interest and to ensure the safety of both the vaccinated and unvaccinated.
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