Childhood Vaccinations Interrupted by Corona virus Fears
Childhood Vaccinations Interrupted by Coronavirus Fears
By Sarah Krouse | May 8, 2020
Summary: Because of fears of exposure to the coronavirus and other illnesses in doctors’ offices, some
parents are delaying their children’s vaccinations, even though many parents believe in their value.
Pediatricians warn that delays in receiving vaccinations for diseases such as measles and whooping cough risk
outbreaks of illness when social-distancing orders are rescinded.
Application: Consumption of some goods and services results in positive externalities, which are benefits for
people who are not involved in the production or consumption of these goods and services. A private benefit is
the benefit received by the consumer of a good or service, while a social benefit is the private benefit plus the
external benefit – a positive externality – received by those who do not pay for the good or service.
Questions:
Briefly explain what is meant by an economically efficient quantity of output.
Economists use the term market failure. What is market failure?
From the article: “Pediatricians say delays in immunizations for highly contagious diseases including…
measles, rotavirus and whooping cough risk outbreaks of those illnesses as social-distancing orders lift.” If
immunization is delayed for many children, could this result in negative externalities? Explain briefly.
From the article: “When Kimberly Beury’s… daughter was due for a round of vaccinations…[her] mother initially
thought the risk of going to the doctor’s office with her baby outweighed the benefits. It took a call from the
pediatrician’s office to convince her that enough precautions would be taken inside the office…to make it safe.”
Which of the following was a rational decision: (a) Kimberly Beury initially deciding not to visit her pediatrician’s
office to have her daughter vaccinated, or (b) Kimberly Beury ultimately agreeing to have her daughter
vaccinated? Explain briefly.
Sample Solution
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