Balancing parental autonomy and the best interests of the child: legal challenges of mandatory vaccination in the Republic of Latvia

Vaccination is widely recognised as one of the most effective public health interventions for preventing infectious diseases
and protecting vulnerable populations, particularly children. At the same time, mandatory vaccination policies
raise complex legal and ethical questions concerning parental autonomy, children’s rights and the permissible scope of
state intervention in private and family life. This article examines the legal challenges related to mandatory vaccination
of minors in the Republic of Latvia, with a particular focus on situations of parental refusal and the obligation to safeguard
the best interests of the child. The study analyses Latvian national legislation, including the national law in light
of European human-rights standards. Special attention is devoted to the jurisprudence of the European Convention on
Human Rights, as well as relevant European Union and Council of Europe instruments concerning children’s rights and
public health. The article argues that, although the Latvian legal framework is largely consistent with European humanrights
principles, existing enforcement mechanisms and institutional practices remain insufficient to ensure effective
protection of minor patients. The research concludes that a child-centred approach integrating legal regulation with
educational, procedural and institutional measures is essential to achieve a proportionate balance between parental
rights, children’s evolving autonomy and the legitimate interests of public health.